diff --git a/defaults.lua b/defaults.lua
index 9193a2a57..56080329d 100644
--- a/defaults.lua
+++ b/defaults.lua
@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@ DCREREADER_PROGRESS_BAR = 1
 
 -- configure "mini" progress bar
 DMINIBAR_ALL_AT_ONCE = false
+DMINIBAR_PROGRESSBAR = true
 DMINIBAR_TIME = true
 DMINIBAR_PAGES = true
 DMINIBAR_NEXT_CHAPTER = true
diff --git a/frontend/apps/reader/modules/readerfooter.lua b/frontend/apps/reader/modules/readerfooter.lua
index efbdd5c85..92cf99d81 100644
--- a/frontend/apps/reader/modules/readerfooter.lua
+++ b/frontend/apps/reader/modules/readerfooter.lua
@@ -75,7 +75,9 @@ function ReaderFooter:init()
         dimen = Geom:new{ w = text_width, h = self.height },
         self.progress_text,
     }
-    table.insert(horizontal_group, bar_container)
+    if DMINIBAR_PROGRESSBAR then
+        table.insert(horizontal_group, bar_container)
+    end
     table.insert(horizontal_group, text_container)
     self[1] = BottomContainer:new{
         dimen = Screen:getSize(),