diff --git a/docs/en/index.md b/docs/en/index.md
index dc819d3..f835083 100644
--- a/docs/en/index.md
+++ b/docs/en/index.md
@@ -30,6 +30,20 @@ common interfaces to fulltext engine functionality, abstracting out common behav
 offers its own extensions, and there is some behaviour (such as getting the fulltext search engines installed, configured
 and running) that each connector deals with itself, in a way best suited to that search engine's design.
 
+## Disabling automatic configuration
+
+If you have this module installed but do not have a Solr server running, you can disable the database manipulation
+hooks that trigger automatic index updates:
+
+```yaml
+# File: mysite/_config/search.yml
+---
+Name: mysitesearch
+---
+SilverStripe\FullTextSearch\Search\Updaters\SearchUpdater:
+  enabled: false
+```
+
 ## Basic usage
 
 Basic usage is a four step process:
diff --git a/src/Search/Updaters/SearchUpdater.php b/src/Search/Updaters/SearchUpdater.php
index dbb24f0..5d3d614 100644
--- a/src/Search/Updaters/SearchUpdater.php
+++ b/src/Search/Updaters/SearchUpdater.php
@@ -37,6 +37,14 @@ class SearchUpdater
      */
     private static $flush_on_shutdown = true;
 
+    /**
+     * Whether the updater is enabled. Set to false for local development if you don't have a Solr server.
+     *
+     * @config
+     * @var bool
+     */
+    private static $enabled = true;
+
     public static $registered = false;
     /** @var SearchUpdateProcessor */
     public static $processor = null;
@@ -53,6 +61,10 @@ class SearchUpdater
      */
     public static function handle_manipulation($manipulation)
     {
+        if (!static::config()->get('enabled')) {
+            return;
+        }
+
         // First, extract any state that is in the manipulation itself
         foreach ($manipulation as $table => $details) {
             if (!isset($manipulation[$table]['class'])) {