diff --git a/.env.development b/.env.development
index 5f69de1469..387ab6204d 100644
--- a/.env.development
+++ b/.env.development
@@ -48,3 +48,6 @@ UNWEjuqNMi/lwAErS9fFa2oJlWyT8U7zzv/5kQREkxZI6y9v0AF3qcbsy2731FnD
 s9ChJvOUW9toIab2gsIdrKW8ZNpu084ZFVKb6LNjvIXI1Se4oMTHeszXzNptzlot
 kdxxjOoaQMAyfljFSot1F1FlU6MQlag7UnFGvFjRHN1JI5q4K+n3a67DX+TMyRqS
 HQIDAQAB'
+
+# set to true in .env.development.local to disable the prevent unload dialog
+VITE_APP_DISABLE_PREVENT_UNLOAD=
diff --git a/excalidraw-app/App.tsx b/excalidraw-app/App.tsx
index 60e9b30083..bb62a0e96c 100644
--- a/excalidraw-app/App.tsx
+++ b/excalidraw-app/App.tsx
@@ -608,7 +608,13 @@ const ExcalidrawWrapper = () => {
           excalidrawAPI.getSceneElements(),
         )
       ) {
-        preventUnload(event);
+        if (import.meta.env.VITE_APP_DISABLE_PREVENT_UNLOAD !== "true") {
+          preventUnload(event);
+        } else {
+          console.warn(
+            "preventing unload disabled (VITE_APP_DISABLE_PREVENT_UNLOAD)",
+          );
+        }
       }
     };
     window.addEventListener(EVENT.BEFORE_UNLOAD, unloadHandler);
diff --git a/excalidraw-app/collab/Collab.tsx b/excalidraw-app/collab/Collab.tsx
index f6f7630412..98c66e4257 100644
--- a/excalidraw-app/collab/Collab.tsx
+++ b/excalidraw-app/collab/Collab.tsx
@@ -301,7 +301,13 @@ class Collab extends PureComponent<CollabProps, CollabState> {
       //  the purpose is to run in immediately after user decides to stay
       this.saveCollabRoomToFirebase(syncableElements);
 
-      preventUnload(event);
+      if (import.meta.env.VITE_APP_DISABLE_PREVENT_UNLOAD !== "true") {
+        preventUnload(event);
+      } else {
+        console.warn(
+          "preventing unload disabled (VITE_APP_DISABLE_PREVENT_UNLOAD)",
+        );
+      }
     }
   });