diff --git a/simgear/scene/model/model.cxx b/simgear/scene/model/model.cxx
index c45bcfb0..9091c3b5 100644
--- a/simgear/scene/model/model.cxx
+++ b/simgear/scene/model/model.cxx
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
 SG_USING_STD(vector);
 SG_USING_STD(set);
 
-
+bool sgUseDisplayList = true;
 
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 // Global state
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ sgLoad3DModel( const string &fg_root, const string &path,
   }
 
 #if PLIB_VERSION > 183
-  if ( model != 0 ) {
+  if ( model != 0 && sgUseDisplayList ) {
      makeDList( model, ignore_branches );
   }
 #endif
diff --git a/simgear/scene/model/model.hxx b/simgear/scene/model/model.hxx
index e995c120..a4220cdb 100644
--- a/simgear/scene/model/model.hxx
+++ b/simgear/scene/model/model.hxx
@@ -74,4 +74,9 @@ sgMakeAnimation( ssgBranch * model,
 bool
 sgSetModelFilter( bool filter );
 
+/**
+ * Enable or disable Display list usage
+ */
+extern bool sgUseDisplayList;
+
 #endif // __MODEL_HXX