diff --git a/modules/ui_definitions.py b/modules/ui_definitions.py
index ec497f9e9..679bcb4fc 100644
--- a/modules/ui_definitions.py
+++ b/modules/ui_definitions.py
@@ -570,6 +570,7 @@ def create_settings(cmd_opts):
         "live_preview_refresh_period": OptionInfo(500, "Progress update period", gr.Slider, {"minimum": 0, "maximum": 5000, "step": 25}),
         "taesd_variant": OptionInfo(shared_items.sd_taesd_items()[0], "TAESD variant", gr.Dropdown, {"choices": shared_items.sd_taesd_items()}),
         "taesd_layers": OptionInfo(3, "TAESD decode layers", gr.Slider, {"minimum": 1, "maximum": 3, "step": 1}),
+        "live_preview_require_focus": OptionInfo(True, "Pause live previews when tab is not focused"),
         "live_preview_downscale": OptionInfo(True, "Downscale high resolution live previews"),
 
         "notification_audio_enable": OptionInfo(False, "Play a notification upon completion"),
diff --git a/ui/progressBar.ts b/ui/progressBar.ts
index 831822ead..6b10292bc 100644
--- a/ui/progressBar.ts
+++ b/ui/progressBar.ts
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ export function setRefreshInterval() {
   refreshInterval = window.opts.live_preview_refresh_period || 500;
   log('refreshInterval', document.visibilityState, refreshInterval);
   document.addEventListener('visibilitychange', () => {
-    if (document.hidden) refreshInterval = Math.max(2500, window.opts.live_preview_refresh_period || 1000);
+    if (window.opts.live_preview_require_focus !== false && document.hidden) refreshInterval = Math.max(2500, window.opts.live_preview_refresh_period || 1000);
     else refreshInterval = window.opts.live_preview_refresh_period || 1000;
     // log('refreshInterval', document.visibilityState, refreshInterval);
   });
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ export function requestProgress(id_task = 'undefined', progressEl = null, galler
 
   const startLivePreview = (taskId: string, id_live_preview: number) => {
     if (window.opts.live_preview_refresh_period === 0) return;
-    const request_id = document.hidden ? -1 : id_live_preview;
+    const request_id = (window.opts.live_preview_require_focus !== false && document.hidden) ? -1 : id_live_preview;
 
     const onProgressHandler = (res) => {
       if (res?.debug) debug('progress:', { start: dateStart, id: request_id, res });