diff --git a/awx/settings/defaults.py b/awx/settings/defaults.py
index 046e6e0570..9684479542 100644
--- a/awx/settings/defaults.py
+++ b/awx/settings/defaults.py
@@ -242,6 +242,10 @@ AUTH_TOKEN_EXPIRATION = 1800
 # -1 is unlimited
 AUTH_TOKEN_PER_USER = -1
 
+# Enable / Disable HTTP Basic Authentication used in the API browser
+# Note: Session limits are not enforced when using HTTP Basic Authentication.
+AUTH_BASIC_ENABLED = True
+
 # If set, serve only minified JS for UI.
 USE_MINIFIED_JS = False
 
diff --git a/awx/settings/postprocess.py b/awx/settings/postprocess.py
index bed4d6299a..a3db97724d 100644
--- a/awx/settings/postprocess.py
+++ b/awx/settings/postprocess.py
@@ -29,3 +29,7 @@ if not all([SOCIAL_AUTH_SAML_SP_ENTITY_ID, SOCIAL_AUTH_SAML_SP_PUBLIC_CERT,
             SOCIAL_AUTH_SAML_TECHNICAL_CONTACT, SOCIAL_AUTH_SAML_SUPPORT_CONTACT,
             SOCIAL_AUTH_SAML_ENABLED_IDPS]):
     AUTHENTICATION_BACKENDS = [x for x in AUTHENTICATION_BACKENDS if x != 'social.backends.saml.SAMLAuth']
+
+if not AUTH_BASIC_ENABLED:
+    REST_FRAMEWORK['DEFAULT_AUTHENTICATION_CLASSES'] = [x for x in REST_FRAMEWORK['DEFAULT_AUTHENTICATION_CLASSES'] if x != 'rest_framework.authentication.BasicAuthentication']
+