diff --git a/defaults.lua b/defaults.lua
index 5bb771b53..9f46d0de8 100644
--- a/defaults.lua
+++ b/defaults.lua
@@ -58,6 +58,11 @@ DCREREADER_TWO_PAGE_THRESHOLD = 7
 -- page overlap pixels
 DOVERLAPPIXELS = 30
 
+-- timeout to show link rectangle around links
+-- default to 0.5 second
+-- set to 0 to disable showing rectangle and follow link immediately
+FOLLOW_LINK_TIMEOUT = 0.5
+
 -- customizable tap zones(rectangles)
 -- x: x coordinate of top left corner in proportion of screen width
 -- y: y coordinate of top left corner in proportion of screen height
diff --git a/frontend/apps/reader/modules/readerlink.lua b/frontend/apps/reader/modules/readerlink.lua
index fa1d2d855..b4972ad88 100644
--- a/frontend/apps/reader/modules/readerlink.lua
+++ b/frontend/apps/reader/modules/readerlink.lua
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ function ReaderLink:onTap(arg, ges)
                 if sbox then
                     UIManager:show(LinkBox:new{
                         box = sbox,
-                        timeout = 0.5,
+                        timeout = FOLLOW_LINK_TIMEOUT,
                         callback = function() self:onGotoLink(link) end
                     })
                     return true