diff --git a/server/modules/rendering/html-core/definition.yml b/server/modules/rendering/html-core/definition.yml
index f8f5f3f0..c11da260 100644
--- a/server/modules/rendering/html-core/definition.yml
+++ b/server/modules/rendering/html-core/definition.yml
@@ -12,3 +12,9 @@ props:
     title: Treat relative links as root absolute
     hint: For example, a link to foo/bar on page xyz will render as /foo/bar instead of /xyz/foo/bar.
     order: 1
+  openExternalLinkNewTab:
+    type: Boolean
+    default: false
+    title: Open external links in a new tab
+    hint: External links will have a _blank target attribute added automatically.
+    order: 2
diff --git a/server/modules/rendering/html-core/renderer.js b/server/modules/rendering/html-core/renderer.js
index d0ce78d8..98f4562e 100644
--- a/server/modules/rendering/html-core/renderer.js
+++ b/server/modules/rendering/html-core/renderer.js
@@ -113,7 +113,9 @@ module.exports = {
         }
       } else {
         $(elm).addClass(`is-external-link`)
-        $(elm).attr('target', '_blank')
+        if (this.config.openExternalLinkNewTab) {
+          $(elm).attr('target', '_blank')
+        }
       }
 
       // -> Update element