diff --git a/InvenTree/common/models.py b/InvenTree/common/models.py
index 2b84918e82..766ef16703 100644
--- a/InvenTree/common/models.py
+++ b/InvenTree/common/models.py
@@ -1002,6 +1002,13 @@ class InvenTreeSetting(BaseInvenTreeSetting):
             'validator': bool,
         },
 
+        'PLUGIN_ON_STARTUP': {
+            'name': _('Check plugins on startup'),
+            'description': _('Check that all plugins are installed on startup - enable in container enviroments'),
+            'default': False,
+            'validator': bool,
+            'requires_restart': True,
+        },
         # Settings for plugin mixin features
         'ENABLE_PLUGINS_URL': {
             'name': _('Enable URL integration'),
diff --git a/InvenTree/plugin/apps.py b/InvenTree/plugin/apps.py
index 6ebaf2215a..93f1b89b6e 100644
--- a/InvenTree/plugin/apps.py
+++ b/InvenTree/plugin/apps.py
@@ -30,9 +30,11 @@ class PluginAppConfig(AppConfig):
 
                 if not registry.is_loading:
                     # this is the first startup
+                    from common.models import InvenTreeSetting
 
-                    # make sure all plugins are installed
-                    registry.install_plugin_file()
+                    if InvenTreeSetting.get_setting('PLUGIN_ON_STARTUP'):
+                        # make sure all plugins are installed
+                        registry.install_plugin_file()
 
                     # get plugins and init them
                     registry.collect_plugins()