diff --git a/cura/CuraApplication.py b/cura/CuraApplication.py
index 010b7542aa..024d0403e6 100755
--- a/cura/CuraApplication.py
+++ b/cura/CuraApplication.py
@@ -377,6 +377,7 @@ class CuraApplication(QtApplication):
 
         preferences.addPreference("cura/categories_expanded", "")
         preferences.addPreference("cura/jobname_prefix", True)
+        preferences.addPreference("cura/select_models_on_load", False)
         preferences.addPreference("view/center_on_select", False)
         preferences.addPreference("mesh/scale_to_fit", False)
         preferences.addPreference("mesh/scale_tiny_meshes", True)
@@ -1572,7 +1573,8 @@ class CuraApplication(QtApplication):
             self.callLater(self.openProjectFile.emit, file)
             return
 
-        Selection.clear()
+        if Preferences.getInstance().getValue("cura/select_models_on_load"):
+            Selection.clear()
 
         f = file.toLocalFile()
         extension = os.path.splitext(f)[1]
@@ -1698,7 +1700,8 @@ class CuraApplication(QtApplication):
             node.callDecoration("setActiveExtruder", default_extruder_id)
             scene.sceneChanged.emit(node)
 
-            Selection.add(node)
+            if Preferences.getInstance().getValue("cura/select_models_on_load"):
+                Selection.add(node)
 
         self.fileCompleted.emit(filename)
 
diff --git a/resources/qml/Preferences/GeneralPage.qml b/resources/qml/Preferences/GeneralPage.qml
index f4fa7c1557..7841c7d506 100644
--- a/resources/qml/Preferences/GeneralPage.qml
+++ b/resources/qml/Preferences/GeneralPage.qml
@@ -79,6 +79,8 @@ UM.PreferencesPage
         scaleToFitCheckbox.checked = boolCheck(UM.Preferences.getValue("mesh/scale_to_fit"))
         UM.Preferences.resetPreference("mesh/scale_tiny_meshes")
         scaleTinyCheckbox.checked = boolCheck(UM.Preferences.getValue("mesh/scale_tiny_meshes"))
+        UM.Preferences.resetPreference("cura/select_models_on_load")
+        selectModelsOnLoadCheckbox.checked = boolCheck(UM.Preferences.getValue("cura/select_models_on_load"))
         UM.Preferences.resetPreference("cura/jobname_prefix")
         prefixJobNameCheckbox.checked = boolCheck(UM.Preferences.getValue("cura/jobname_prefix"))
         UM.Preferences.resetPreference("view/show_overhang");
@@ -498,6 +500,21 @@ UM.PreferencesPage
                 }
             }
 
+            UM.TooltipArea
+            {
+                width: childrenRect.width
+                height: childrenRect.height
+                text: catalog.i18nc("@info:tooltip","Should models be selected after they are loaded?")
+
+                CheckBox
+                {
+                    id: selectModelsOnLoadCheckbox
+                    text: catalog.i18nc("@option:check","Select models when loaded")
+                    checked: boolCheck(UM.Preferences.getValue("cura/select_models_on_load"))
+                    onCheckedChanged: UM.Preferences.setValue("cura/select_models_on_load", checked)
+                }
+            }
+
             UM.TooltipArea
             {
                 width: childrenRect.width