diff --git a/kmkernel.cpp b/kmkernel.cpp
index 18ce37a05..705587539 100644
--- a/kmkernel.cpp
+++ b/kmkernel.cpp
@@ -458,11 +458,9 @@ void KMKernel::checkMail () //might create a new reader but won't show!!
   }
 }
 
-void KMKernel::setSystrayUnreadCountEnabled(bool enabled)
+void KMKernel::setSystrayIconNotificationsEnabled( bool enabled )
 {
-    GlobalSettings::self()->systemTrayShowUnreadItem()->setValue(enabled);
-    mSystemTray->setShowUnread(enabled);
-    GlobalSettings::self()->writeConfig();
+  mSystemTray->setSystrayIconNotificationsEnabled( enabled );
 }
 
 QStringList KMKernel::accounts()
@@ -2019,7 +2017,7 @@ void KMKernel::toggleSystemTray()
     // Set mode of systemtray. If mode has changed, tray will handle this.
     if ( mSystemTray ) {
       mSystemTray->setMode( GlobalSettings::self()->systemTrayPolicy() );
-      mSystemTray->setShowUnread( GlobalSettings::self()->systemTrayShowUnread() );
+      mSystemTray->setShowUnreadCount( GlobalSettings::self()->systemTrayShowUnread() );
     }
 
   }
diff --git a/kmkernel.h b/kmkernel.h
index 17f131a15..b2fa24d77 100644
--- a/kmkernel.h
+++ b/kmkernel.h
@@ -118,7 +118,11 @@ public Q_SLOTS:
   Q_SCRIPTABLE void checkMail();
   Q_SCRIPTABLE void openReader() { openReader( false ); }
 
-  Q_SCRIPTABLE void setSystrayUnreadCountEnabled(bool enabled);
+  /**
+   * Enables/disables systray icon changing when mail arrives.
+   * With this disabled the systray icon will always be the same.
+   */
+  Q_SCRIPTABLE void setSystrayIconNotificationsEnabled( bool enabled );
 
   /**
    * Pauses all background jobs and does not
diff --git a/kmsystemtray.cpp b/kmsystemtray.cpp
index 29c53b30c..1d3668ae3 100644
--- a/kmsystemtray.cpp
+++ b/kmsystemtray.cpp
@@ -62,7 +62,8 @@ KMSystemTray::KMSystemTray(QObject *parent)
       mDesktopOfMainWin( 0 ),
       mMode( GlobalSettings::EnumSystemTrayPolicy::ShowOnUnread ),
       mCount( 0 ),
-      mShowUnreadMail( true ),
+      mShowUnreadMailCount( true ),
+      mIconNotificationsEnabled( true ),
       mNewMessagesPopup( 0 ),
       mSendQueued( 0 )
 {
@@ -142,11 +143,11 @@ KMSystemTray::~KMSystemTray()
 {
 }
 
-void KMSystemTray::setShowUnread(bool showUnread)
+void KMSystemTray::setShowUnreadCount(bool showUnreadCount)
 {
-    if (mShowUnreadMail == showUnread)
+    if (mShowUnreadMailCount == showUnreadCount)
         return;
-    mShowUnreadMail = showUnread;
+    mShowUnreadMailCount = showUnreadCount;
     updateSystemTray();
 }
 
@@ -182,11 +183,11 @@ int KMSystemTray::mode() const
  */
 void KMSystemTray::updateCount()
 {
-    if (mCount == 0) {
+    if (mCount == 0 || !mIconNotificationsEnabled) {
         setIconByName( QLatin1String("kmail") );
         return;
     }
-    if (mShowUnreadMail) {
+    if (mShowUnreadMailCount) {
         const int overlaySize = KIconLoader::SizeSmallMedium;
 
         const QString countString = QString::number( mCount );
@@ -229,6 +230,13 @@ void KMSystemTray::updateCount()
     }
 }
 
+void KMSystemTray::setSystrayIconNotificationsEnabled( bool enabled )
+{
+    if ( enabled != mIconNotificationsEnabled ) {
+        mIconNotificationsEnabled = enabled;
+        updateSystemTray();
+    }
+}
 
 /**
  * On left mouse click, switch focus to the first KMMainWidget.  On right
diff --git a/kmsystemtray.h b/kmsystemtray.h
index 427a9ff16..7ce970e30 100644
--- a/kmsystemtray.h
+++ b/kmsystemtray.h
@@ -41,7 +41,15 @@ public:
     /** destructor */
     ~KMSystemTray();
 
-    void setShowUnread(bool showUnread);
+    void setShowUnreadCount(bool showUnreadCount);
+
+    /**
+     * Use this method to disable any systray icon changing.
+     * By default this is enabled and you'll see the "new e-mail" icon whenever there's
+     * new e-mail.
+     */
+    void setSystrayIconNotificationsEnabled(bool enable);
+
     void setMode(int mode);
     int mode() const;
 
@@ -73,7 +81,9 @@ private:
     int mMode;
     int mCount;
 
-    bool mShowUnreadMail;
+    bool mShowUnreadMailCount;
+    bool mIconNotificationsEnabled;
+
     QMenu *mNewMessagesPopup;
     QAction *mSendQueued;
 };