diff --git a/Core/src/main/java/com/plotsquared/core/configuration/Settings.java b/Core/src/main/java/com/plotsquared/core/configuration/Settings.java
index 6db5f8476..1e24cc1cf 100644
--- a/Core/src/main/java/com/plotsquared/core/configuration/Settings.java
+++ b/Core/src/main/java/com/plotsquared/core/configuration/Settings.java
@@ -420,6 +420,8 @@ public class Settings extends Config {
         public static boolean AUTOMATIC_BACKUPS = true;
         @Comment("Maximum amount of backups associated with a plot")
         public static int BACKUP_LIMIT = 3;
+        @Comment("Whether or not backups should be deleted when the plot is unclaimed")
+        public static boolean DELETE_ON_UNCLAIM = true;
     }
 
 }
diff --git a/Core/src/main/java/com/plotsquared/core/plot/Plot.java b/Core/src/main/java/com/plotsquared/core/plot/Plot.java
index 0a25e4cdd..e77861b94 100644
--- a/Core/src/main/java/com/plotsquared/core/plot/Plot.java
+++ b/Core/src/main/java/com/plotsquared/core/plot/Plot.java
@@ -1360,9 +1360,10 @@ public class Plot {
                 PlotListener.plotExit(pp, current);
             }
 
-            // Destroy all backups when the plot is unclaimed
-            Objects.requireNonNull(PlotSquared.imp()).getBackupManager()
-                .getProfile(current).destroy();
+            if (Settings.Backup.DELETE_ON_UNCLAIM) {
+                // Destroy all backups when the plot is unclaimed
+                Objects.requireNonNull(PlotSquared.imp()).getBackupManager().getProfile(current).destroy();
+            }
 
             getArea().removePlot(getId());
             DBFunc.delete(current);