diff --git a/js/openPopup.js b/js/openPopup.js
index 87aadc0..fd70da1 100644
--- a/js/openPopup.js
+++ b/js/openPopup.js
@@ -14,12 +14,17 @@ import phetCore from './phetCore.js';
  * @param {string} url
  */
 function openPopup( url ) {
-  const popupWindow = window.open( url, '_blank' ); // open in a new window/tab
 
-  // We can't guarantee the presence of a window object, since if it isn't opened then it will return null.
-  // See https://github.com/phetsims/phet-ios-app/issues/508#issuecomment-520891177 and documentation at
-  // https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Window/open.
-  popupWindow && popupWindow.focus();
+  // Don't allow openPopup IF we have query parameters AND allowLinks is false,
+  // see https://github.com/phetsims/joist/issues/830
+  if ( !( window?.phet?.chipper?.queryParameters ) || ( window?.phet?.chipper?.queryParameters?.allowLinks ) ) {
+    const popupWindow = window.open( url, '_blank' ); // open in a new window/tab
+
+    // We can't guarantee the presence of a window object, since if it isn't opened then it will return null.
+    // See https://github.com/phetsims/phet-ios-app/issues/508#issuecomment-520891177 and documentation at
+    // https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Window/open.
+    popupWindow && popupWindow.focus();
+  }
 }
 
 phetCore.register( 'openPopup', openPopup );