diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/store/search/search.py b/src/calibre/gui2/store/search/search.py
index 5654df8ffc..07d4afca54 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/store/search/search.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/store/search/search.py
@@ -155,6 +155,7 @@ class SearchDialog(QDialog, Ui_Dialog):
         self.config['results_view_column_width'] = [self.results_view.columnWidth(i) for i in range(self.results_view.model().columnCount())]
         self.config['sort_col'] = self.results_view.model().sort_col
         self.config['sort_order'] = self.results_view.model().sort_order
+        self.config['open_external'] = self.open_external.isChecked()
 
         store_check = {}
         for n in self.store_plugins:
@@ -179,6 +180,8 @@ class SearchDialog(QDialog, Ui_Dialog):
         else:
             self.resize_columns()
 
+        self.open_external.setChecked(self.config.get('open_external', False))
+
         store_check = self.config.get('store_checked', None)
         if store_check:
             for n in store_check:
@@ -212,7 +215,7 @@ class SearchDialog(QDialog, Ui_Dialog):
 
     def open_store(self, index):
         result = self.results_view.model().get_result(index)
-        self.store_plugins[result.store_name].open(self, result.detail_item)
+        self.store_plugins[result.store_name].open(self, result.detail_item, self.open_external.isChecked())
 
     def check_progress(self):
         if not self.search_pool.threads_running() and not self.results_view.model().cover_pool.threads_running() and not self.results_view.model().details_pool.threads_running(): 
diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/store/search/search.ui b/src/calibre/gui2/store/search/search.ui
index 0d39a70a29..7e8dd36284 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/store/search/search.ui
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/store/search/search.ui
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@
             <x>0</x>
             <y>0</y>
             <width>215</width>
-            <height>116</height>
+            <height>93</height>
            </rect>
           </property>
          </widget>
@@ -101,6 +101,16 @@
          </item>
         </layout>
        </item>
+       <item>
+        <widget class="QCheckBox" name="open_external">
+         <property name="toolTip">
+          <string>Open a selected book in the system's web browser</string>
+         </property>
+         <property name="text">
+          <string>Open external</string>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
       </layout>
      </widget>
      <widget class="QSplitter" name="splitter_2">