diff --git a/app/scripts/inpage.js b/app/scripts/inpage.js
index c7f0c56696dd..68394d1ae743 100644
--- a/app/scripts/inpage.js
+++ b/app/scripts/inpage.js
@@ -91,6 +91,10 @@ inpageProvider.enable = function ({ force } = {}) {
   })
 }
 
+// give the dapps control of a refresh they can toggle this off on the window.ethereum
+// this will be default true so it does not break any old apps.
+inpageProvider.autoRefreshOnNetworkChange = true
+
 // add metamask-specific convenience methods
 inpageProvider._metamask = new Proxy({
   /**
diff --git a/app/scripts/lib/auto-reload.js b/app/scripts/lib/auto-reload.js
index 558391a06448..44fbe847c6a6 100644
--- a/app/scripts/lib/auto-reload.js
+++ b/app/scripts/lib/auto-reload.js
@@ -20,6 +20,10 @@ function setupDappAutoReload (web3, observable) {
   })
 
   observable.subscribe(function (state) {
+    // if the auto refresh on network change is false do not
+    // do anything
+    if (!window.ethereum.autoRefreshOnNetworkChange) return
+
     // if reload in progress, no need to check reload logic
     if (reloadInProgress) return