diff --git a/admin/intro.php b/admin/intro.php
index 36730976f..6947641c9 100644
--- a/admin/intro.php
+++ b/admin/intro.php
@@ -156,6 +156,7 @@ $template->assign(
     'NB_PLUGINS' => count($pwg_loaded_plugins),
     'STORAGE_USED' => l10n('%sGB', number_format($du_gb, $du_decimals)),
     'U_QUICK_SYNC' => PHPWG_ROOT_PATH.'admin.php?page=site_update&site=1&quick_sync=1&pwg_token='.get_pwg_token(),
+    'CHECK_FOR_UPDATES' => $conf['dashboard_check_for_updates'],
     )
   );
 
diff --git a/admin/themes/default/template/intro.tpl b/admin/themes/default/template/intro.tpl
index cc062b41d..a82300a71 100644
--- a/admin/themes/default/template/intro.tpl
+++ b/admin/themes/default/template/intro.tpl
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ jQuery().ready(function(){
 		splitTitle: '|',
 		positionBy: 'bottomTop'
 	});
+{/literal}
+{if $CHECK_FOR_UPDATES}
   jQuery.ajax({
     type: 'GET',
     url: 'ws.php',
@@ -34,6 +36,8 @@ jQuery().ready(function(){
         jQuery(".warnings ul").append('<li>'+ext_need_update_msg+'</li>');
     }
   });
+{/if}
+{literal}
 
   jQuery('.newsletter-subscription a').click(function() {
     jQuery('.newsletter-subscription').hide();
diff --git a/include/config_default.inc.php b/include/config_default.inc.php
index cdc2c823a..dc799a0ef 100644
--- a/include/config_default.inc.php
+++ b/include/config_default.inc.php
@@ -696,6 +696,10 @@ $conf['ws_max_users_per_page'] = 1000;
 // Display a link to subscribe to Piwigo Announcements Newsletter
 $conf['show_newsletter_subscription'] = true;
 
+// Check for available updates on Piwigo or extensions, performed each time
+// the dashboard is displayed
+$conf['dashboard_check_for_updates'] = true;
+
 // Number Weeks displayed on activity chart on the dashboard
 $conf['dashboard_activity_nb_weeks'] = 4;