diff --git a/docs/labwc-config.5.scd b/docs/labwc-config.5.scd
index 95564083..4e41d57f 100644
--- a/docs/labwc-config.5.scd
+++ b/docs/labwc-config.5.scd
@@ -171,6 +171,7 @@ this is for compatibility with Openbox.
   <gap>0</gap>
   <adaptiveSync>no</adaptiveSync>
   <allowTearing>no</allowTearing>
+  <autoEnableOutputs>yes</autoEnableOutputs>
   <reuseOutputMode>no</reuseOutputMode>
   <xwaylandPersistence>yes</xwaylandPersistence>
 </core>
@@ -209,6 +210,14 @@ this is for compatibility with Openbox.
 	consider setting the environment variable WLR_DRM_NO_ATOMIC=1 when
 	launching labwc.
 
+*<core><autoEnableOutputs>* [yes|no]
+	Automatically enable outputs at startup and when new outputs are
+	connected. Default is yes.
+
+	Caution: Disabling this option will make the labwc session unusable
+	unless an external tool such as `wlr-randr` or `kanshi` is used to
+	manage outputs.
+
 *<core><reuseOutputMode>* [yes|no]
 	Try to re-use the existing output mode (resolution / refresh rate).
 	This may prevent unnecessary screenblank delays when starting labwc
diff --git a/docs/rc.xml.all b/docs/rc.xml.all
index a4f628ba..ee7b111e 100644
--- a/docs/rc.xml.all
+++ b/docs/rc.xml.all
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
     <gap>0</gap>
     <adaptiveSync>no</adaptiveSync>
     <allowTearing>no</allowTearing>
+    <autoEnableOutputs>yes</autoEnableOutputs>
     <reuseOutputMode>no</reuseOutputMode>
     <xwaylandPersistence>yes</xwaylandPersistence>
   </core>
diff --git a/include/config/rcxml.h b/include/config/rcxml.h
index c65d6484..84757386 100644
--- a/include/config/rcxml.h
+++ b/include/config/rcxml.h
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ struct rcxml {
 	int gap;
 	enum adaptive_sync_mode adaptive_sync;
 	enum tearing_mode allow_tearing;
+	bool auto_enable_outputs;
 	bool reuse_output_mode;
 	enum view_placement_policy placement_policy;
 	bool xwayland_persistence;
diff --git a/src/config/rcxml.c b/src/config/rcxml.c
index cbb9eab6..f3f04db8 100644
--- a/src/config/rcxml.c
+++ b/src/config/rcxml.c
@@ -1082,6 +1082,8 @@ entry(xmlNode *node, char *nodename, char *content)
 		set_adaptive_sync_mode(content, &rc.adaptive_sync);
 	} else if (!strcasecmp(nodename, "allowTearing.core")) {
 		set_tearing_mode(content, &rc.allow_tearing);
+	} else if (!strcasecmp(nodename, "autoEnableOutputs.core")) {
+		set_bool(content, &rc.auto_enable_outputs);
 	} else if (!strcasecmp(nodename, "reuseOutputMode.core")) {
 		set_bool(content, &rc.reuse_output_mode);
 	} else if (!strcmp(nodename, "policy.placement")) {
@@ -1467,6 +1469,7 @@ rcxml_init(void)
 	rc.gap = 0;
 	rc.adaptive_sync = LAB_ADAPTIVE_SYNC_DISABLED;
 	rc.allow_tearing = false;
+	rc.auto_enable_outputs = true;
 	rc.reuse_output_mode = false;
 
 #if LAB_WLR_VERSION_OLDER_THAN(0, 18, 2)
diff --git a/src/output.c b/src/output.c
index a75f6e13..22105254 100644
--- a/src/output.c
+++ b/src/output.c
@@ -499,7 +499,10 @@ new_output_notify(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
 	wlr_scene_node_raise_to_top(&server->menu_tree->node);
 	wlr_scene_node_raise_to_top(&output->session_lock_tree->node);
 
-	configure_new_output(server, output);
+	if (rc.auto_enable_outputs) {
+		configure_new_output(server, output);
+	}
+
 	do_output_layout_change(server);
 }