diff --git a/mods/ENTITIES/mobs/api.lua b/mods/ENTITIES/mobs/api.lua
index 1c1b9d5031..17a9d78758 100644
--- a/mods/ENTITIES/mobs/api.lua
+++ b/mods/ENTITIES/mobs/api.lua
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ end
 -- Load settings
 local damage_enabled = minetest.settings:get_bool("enable_damage")
 local peaceful_only = minetest.settings:get_bool("only_peaceful_mobs")
+local mobs_spawn = minetest.settings:get_bool("mobs_spawn", true)
 local disable_blood = minetest.settings:get_bool("mobs_disable_blood")
 local creative = minetest.settings:get_bool("creative_mode")
 local spawn_protected = minetest.settings:get_bool("mobs_spawn_protected") ~= false
@@ -2860,8 +2861,12 @@ function mobs:spawn_specific(name, nodes, neighbors, min_light, max_light,
 		catch_up = false,
 
 		action = function(pos, node, active_object_count, active_object_count_wider)
+			-- Can mobs spawn at all?
+			if not mobs_spawn then
+				return
+			end
 
-			-- is mob actually registered?
+			-- Is mob actually registered?
 			if not mobs.spawning_mobs[name]
 			or not minetest.registered_entities[name] then
 --print ("--- mob doesn't exist", name)
diff --git a/settingtypes.txt b/settingtypes.txt
index 56dd867549..69220c5e39 100644
--- a/settingtypes.txt
+++ b/settingtypes.txt
@@ -33,8 +33,13 @@ mcl_showDeathMessages (Show death messages) bool true
 # If enabled, the weather will change naturally over time.
 mcl_doWeatherCycle (Change weather) bool true
 
+# If enabled, mobs will spawn naturally. This does not affect
+# affect mob spawners.
+# This setting is only read at startup.
+mobs_spawn (Spawn mobs naturally) bool true
+
 # If enabled, only peaceful mobs will appear naturally. This does not
-# affect monster spawners.
+# affect mob spawners.
 # This setting is only read at startup.
 only_peaceful_mobs (Spawn only peaceful mobs) bool false