diff --git a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/ISettings.java b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/ISettings.java
index c58ffa8e7..f72969f5b 100644
--- a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/ISettings.java
+++ b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/ISettings.java
@@ -143,6 +143,8 @@ public interface ISettings extends IConf
 	boolean getFreezeAfkPlayers();
 
 	boolean cancelAfkOnMove();
+	
+	boolean cancelAfkOnInteract();
 
 	boolean areDeathMessagesEnabled();
 
diff --git a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/Settings.java b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/Settings.java
index 95123d051..a16c9a01f 100644
--- a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/Settings.java
+++ b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/Settings.java
@@ -469,6 +469,7 @@ public class Settings implements ISettings
 		disableItemPickupWhileAfk = _getDisableItemPickupWhileAfk();
 		registerBackInListener = _registerBackInListener();
 		cancelAfkOnMove = _cancelAfkOnMove();
+		cancelAfkOnInteract = _cancelAfkOnInteract();
 		getFreezeAfkPlayers = _getFreezeAfkPlayers();
 		itemSpawnBl = _getItemSpawnBlacklist();
 		loginAttackDelay = _getLoginAttackDelay();
@@ -831,6 +832,19 @@ public class Settings implements ISettings
 	{
 		return config.getBoolean("cancel-afk-on-move", true);
 	}
+	
+	private boolean cancelAfkOnInteract;
+
+	@Override
+	public boolean cancelAfkOnInteract()
+	{
+		return cancelAfkOnInteract;
+	}
+
+	private boolean _cancelAfkOnInteract()
+	{
+		return config.getBoolean("cancel-afk-on-interact", true);
+	}
 
 	@Override
 	public boolean areDeathMessagesEnabled()
diff --git a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/User.java b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/User.java
index 6fce1c087..3a6b42781 100644
--- a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/User.java
+++ b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/User.java
@@ -530,7 +530,7 @@ public class User extends UserData implements Comparable<User>, IReplyTo, IUser
 
 	public void updateActivity(final boolean broadcast)
 	{
-		if (isAfk())
+		if (isAfk() && ess.getSettings().cancelAfkOnInteract())
 		{
 			setAfk(false);
 			if (broadcast && !isHidden())
diff --git a/Essentials/src/config.yml b/Essentials/src/config.yml
index bf5523e5a..409be971c 100644
--- a/Essentials/src/config.yml
+++ b/Essentials/src/config.yml
@@ -317,8 +317,12 @@ freeze-afk-players: false
 # Enable this, when you don't want people idling in mob traps.
 disable-item-pickup-while-afk: false
 
+# This setting controls if a player is marked as active on interaction.
+# When this setting is false, you will need to manually un-AFK using the /afk command.
+cancel-afk-on-interact: true
+
 # Should we automatically remove afk status when the player moves?
-# Player will be removed from afk on chat/command regardless of this setting.
+# Player will be removed from AFK on chat/command regardless of this setting.
 # Disable this to reduce server lag.
 cancel-afk-on-move: true