diff --git a/python/src/stackdump/app.py b/python/src/stackdump/app.py
index 1163d84..6043781 100644
--- a/python/src/stackdump/app.py
+++ b/python/src/stackdump/app.py
@@ -410,7 +410,8 @@ def view_question(site_key, question_id, answer_id=None):
     
     result = results.docs[0]
     convert_comments_to_html(result)
-    rewrite_result(result)
+    if settings.REWRITE_LINKS_AND_IMAGES:
+        rewrite_result(result)
     sort_answers(result)
     context['result'] = result
 
diff --git a/python/src/stackdump/default_settings.py b/python/src/stackdump/default_settings.py
index cfa600e..a4a9fcc 100644
--- a/python/src/stackdump/default_settings.py
+++ b/python/src/stackdump/default_settings.py
@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@ NUM_OF_DEFAULT_COMMENTS = 3
 # number of random questions to show on search query pages
 NUM_OF_RANDOM_QUESTIONS = 3
 
+# rewrite links and images to point internally or to a placeholder respectively
+REWRITE_LINKS_AND_IMAGES = True
+
 # settings that are available in templates
 TEMPLATE_SETTINGS = [
     'APP_URL_ROOT',
diff --git a/python/src/stackdump/settings.py b/python/src/stackdump/settings.py
index cafc02c..1430ebd 100644
--- a/python/src/stackdump/settings.py
+++ b/python/src/stackdump/settings.py
@@ -34,3 +34,6 @@ from default_settings import *
 
 # number of random questions to show on search query pages
 #NUM_OF_RANDOM_QUESTIONS = 3
+
+# rewrite links and images to point internally or to a placeholder respectively
+#REWRITE_LINKS_AND_IMAGES = True