diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/__init__.py b/src/calibre/gui2/__init__.py
index 768312bd1b..89754a0245 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/__init__.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/__init__.py
@@ -398,6 +398,7 @@ def create_defs():
     # JSON dumps converts integer keys to strings, so do it explicitly
     defs['tb_search_order'] = {'0': 1, '1': 2, '2': 3, '3': 4, '4': 0}
     defs['search_tool_bar_shows_text'] = True
+    defs['allow_keyboard_search_in_library_views'] = True
 
     def migrate_tweak(tweak_name, pref_name):
         # If the tweak has been changed then leave the tweak in the file so
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py b/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
index 0c40fa3bd4..4199a044f9 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/library/views.py
@@ -756,6 +756,10 @@ class BooksView(QTableView):  # {{{
         gprefs[pname] = previous
         self.sort_by_named_field(field, previous[field])
 
+    def keyboardSearch(self, search):
+        if gprefs.get('allow_keyboard_search_in_library_views', True):
+            super().keyboardSearch(search)
+
     def sort_by_named_field(self, field, order, reset=True):
         if isinstance(order, Qt.SortOrder):
             order = order == Qt.SortOrder.AscendingOrder
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/search.py b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/search.py
index 2899861a2a..961c7cc1a6 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/search.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/search.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ class ConfigWidget(ConfigWidgetBase, Ui_Form):
         r('limit_search_columns', prefs)
         r('use_primary_find_in_search', prefs)
         r('search_tool_bar_shows_text', gprefs)
+        r('allow_keyboard_search_in_library_views', gprefs)
         ossm = self.opt_saved_search_menu_is_hierarchical
         ossm.setChecked('search' in db.new_api.pref('categories_using_hierarchy', []))
         ossm.stateChanged.connect(self.changed_signal)
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/search.ui b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/search.ui
index a646297174..e2f6bd99db 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/search.ui
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/preferences/search.ui
@@ -160,6 +160,20 @@
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
+       <item row="7" column="0">
+        <widget class="QCheckBox" name="opt_allow_keyboard_search_in_library_views">
+         <property name="text">
+          <string>Use keyboard searching in the book list</string>
+         </property>
+         <property name="toolTip">
+          <string>&lt;p&gt;If enabled then pressing a key in the library view
+                  will search for the next cell in the current column where the
+                  value starts with the letter pressed. If there is no such cell
+                  then nothing happens. If the letter is a shortcut then the
+                  shortcut takes precedence.&lt;/p&gt;</string>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
       </layout>
      </widget>
      <widget class="QWidget" name="tab_2">