diff --git a/core/admin/mailu/__init__.py b/core/admin/mailu/__init__.py
index 1fdd4b9e..f34a75f1 100644
--- a/core/admin/mailu/__init__.py
+++ b/core/admin/mailu/__init__.py
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ default_config = {
     'PASSWORD_SCHEME': 'SHA512-CRYPT',
     'WEBMAIL': 'none',
     'AUTH_RATELIMIT': '10/minute;1000/hour',
-    'RATELIMIT_STORAGE_URL': 'redis://redis'
+    'RATELIMIT_STORAGE_URL': 'redis://redis',
+    'DISABLE_STATISTICS': 'False'
 }
 
 # Load configuration from the environment if available
@@ -62,10 +63,11 @@ else:
     instance_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
     with open(app.config["INSTANCE_ID_PATH"], "w") as handle:
         handle.write(instance_id)
-try:
-    socket.gethostbyname(app.config["STATS_ENDPOINT"].format(instance_id))
-except:
-    pass
+if app.config["DISABLE_STATISTICS"].lower() != "true":
+    try:
+        socket.gethostbyname(app.config["STATS_ENDPOINT"].format(instance_id))
+    except:
+        pass
 
 # Debugging toolbar
 if app.config.get("DEBUG"):
diff --git a/docs/compose/.env.dist b/docs/compose/.env.dist
index 3d4a82b6..eb4d7e44 100644
--- a/docs/compose/.env.dist
+++ b/docs/compose/.env.dist
@@ -36,6 +36,9 @@ TLS_FLAVOR=cert
 # Authentication rate limit (per source IP address)
 AUTH_RATELIMIT=10/minute;1000/hour
 
+# Opt-out of statistics, replace with "True" to opt out
+DISABLE_STATISTICS=False
+
 ###################################
 # Optional features
 ###################################