diff --git a/openlp/core/ui/generaltab.py b/openlp/core/ui/generaltab.py
index eabccd301..344f0b702 100644
--- a/openlp/core/ui/generaltab.py
+++ b/openlp/core/ui/generaltab.py
@@ -105,6 +105,9 @@ class GeneralTab(SettingsTab):
         self.saveCheckServiceCheckBox = QtGui.QCheckBox(self.settingsGroupBox)
         self.saveCheckServiceCheckBox.setObjectName(u'saveCheckServiceCheckBox')
         self.settingsLayout.addRow(self.saveCheckServiceCheckBox)
+        self.autoUnblankCheckBox = QtGui.QCheckBox(self.settingsGroupBox)
+        self.autoUnblankCheckBox.setObjectName(u'autoUnblankCheckBox')
+        self.settingsLayout.addRow(self.autoUnblankCheckBox)
         self.autoPreviewCheckBox = QtGui.QCheckBox(self.settingsGroupBox)
         self.autoPreviewCheckBox.setObjectName(u'autoPreviewCheckBox')
         self.settingsLayout.addRow(self.autoPreviewCheckBox)
@@ -224,6 +227,8 @@ class GeneralTab(SettingsTab):
             translate('OpenLP.GeneralTab', 'Application Settings'))
         self.saveCheckServiceCheckBox.setText(translate('OpenLP.GeneralTab',
             'Prompt to save before starting a new service'))
+        self.autoUnblankCheckBox.setText(translate('OpenLP.GeneralTab',
+            'Unblank display when adding new live item'))
         self.autoPreviewCheckBox.setText(translate('OpenLP.GeneralTab',
             'Automatically preview next item in service'))
         self.timeoutLabel.setText(translate('OpenLP.GeneralTab',
@@ -262,6 +267,8 @@ class GeneralTab(SettingsTab):
             u'songselect password', QtCore.QVariant(u'')).toString()))
         self.saveCheckServiceCheckBox.setChecked(settings.value(u'save prompt',
             QtCore.QVariant(False)).toBool())
+        self.autoUnblankCheckBox.setChecked(settings.value(u'auto unblank',
+            QtCore.QVariant(False)).toBool())
         self.monitorComboBox.setCurrentIndex(self.monitorNumber)
         self.displayOnMonitorCheck.setChecked(self.screens.display)
         self.warningCheckBox.setChecked(settings.value(u'blank warning',
@@ -312,6 +319,8 @@ class GeneralTab(SettingsTab):
             QtCore.QVariant(self.checkForUpdatesCheckBox.isChecked()))
         settings.setValue(u'save prompt',
             QtCore.QVariant(self.saveCheckServiceCheckBox.isChecked()))
+        settings.setValue(u'auto unblank',
+            QtCore.QVariant(self.autoUnblankCheckBox.isChecked()))
         settings.setValue(u'auto preview',
             QtCore.QVariant(self.autoPreviewCheckBox.isChecked()))
         settings.setValue(u'loop delay',
diff --git a/openlp/core/ui/maindisplay.py b/openlp/core/ui/maindisplay.py
index 1153917a2..44c0e2b41 100644
--- a/openlp/core/ui/maindisplay.py
+++ b/openlp/core/ui/maindisplay.py
@@ -489,7 +489,11 @@ class MainDisplay(DisplayWidget):
             self.footer(serviceItem.foot_text)
         # if was hidden keep it hidden
         if self.hideMode and self.isLive:
-            self.hideDisplay(self.hideMode)
+            if QtCore.QSettings().value(u'general/auto unblank',
+                QtCore.QVariant(False)).toBool():
+                Receiver.send_message(u'slidecontroller_live_unblank')
+            else:
+                self.hideDisplay(self.hideMode)
         # display hidden for video end we have a new item so must be shown
         if self.videoHide and self.isLive:
             self.videoHide = False