diff --git a/docs/manage/configuration.md b/docs/manage/configuration.md
index 1c8338ab3..5768e3aaf 100644
--- a/docs/manage/configuration.md
+++ b/docs/manage/configuration.md
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ legacy_version_file = no
 use_release_candidates = no
 always_keep_download = no
 plugin_repository_last_check_duration = 60
+use_asdf_plugin_configuration = no
 ```
 
 ### `legacy_version_file`
@@ -96,6 +97,18 @@ Configure the duration since the last asdf plugin repository sync to the next. C
 | `0`                                                                                                     | Sync on each trigger event                                   |
 | `never`                                                                                                 | Never sync                                                   |
 
+### `use_asdf_plugin_configuration`
+
+Settings to use the configuration file `.asdf-plugin` provided by the plugin.
+
+When using a plugin that requires this setting, set to yes.
+
+| Options                                                    | Description                                                            |
+| :--------------------------------------------------------- |:-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
+| `no` <Badge type="tip" text="default" vertical="middle" /> | Do not use the .asdf-plugin configuration file provided by the plugin. |
+| `yes`                                                      | Use the configuration file .asdf-plugin provided by the plugin.        |
+
+
 ## Environment Variables
 
 - `ASDF_CONFIG_FILE` - Defaults to `~/.asdfrc` as described above. Can be set to any location.
diff --git a/docs/plugins/create.md b/docs/plugins/create.md
index 2505a1fd9..0e83118cf 100644
--- a/docs/plugins/create.md
+++ b/docs/plugins/create.md
@@ -309,6 +309,14 @@ Add an `.asdf-plugin` file to your plugin root directory and asdf will use the s
 plugin_directory =
 ```
 
+To enable this, add the following to your `asdf` configuration file `$HOME/.asdfrc`:
+
+```
+use_asdf_plugin_configuration = yes
+```
+
+See the [configuration](/manage/configuration.md) reference page for more config options.
+
 ### `plugin_directory`
 
 If you want to place plugin scripts (e.g. bin, lib) in a subdirectory, specify a path relative to the repository root.
diff --git a/lib/utils.bash b/lib/utils.bash
index a74fda4b6..4a390eb46 100644
--- a/lib/utils.bash
+++ b/lib/utils.bash
@@ -151,14 +151,16 @@ get_plugin_path() {
   plugins_dir="$(asdf_data_dir)/plugins"
 
   if test -n "$1"; then
-    local config_file=
-    config_file="$plugins_dir/$1/.asdf-plugin"
-    if [ -f "$config_file" ]; then
-      local plugin_directory=
-      plugin_directory=$(get_asdf_config_value_from_file "$config_file" plugin_directory)
-      if [ -n "$plugin_directory" ] && [ -d "$plugins_dir/$1/$plugin_directory" ]; then
-        printf "%s\\n" "$plugins_dir/$1/$plugin_directory"
-        return
+    if [ "$(get_asdf_config_value "use_asdf_plugin_configuration")" = "yes" ]; then
+      local config_file=
+      config_file="$plugins_dir/$1/.asdf-plugin"
+      if [ -f "$config_file" ]; then
+        local plugin_directory=
+        plugin_directory=$(get_asdf_config_value_from_file "$config_file" plugin_directory)
+        if [ -n "$plugin_directory" ] && [ -d "$plugins_dir/$1/$plugin_directory" ]; then
+          printf "%s\\n" "$plugins_dir/$1/$plugin_directory"
+          return
+        fi
       fi
     fi
     printf "%s\\n" "$plugins_dir/$1"
diff --git a/test/plugin_subdir.bats b/test/plugin_subdir.bats
index 300ec2a0e..467c7940c 100644
--- a/test/plugin_subdir.bats
+++ b/test/plugin_subdir.bats
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ load test_helpers
 
 setup() {
   setup_asdf_dir
+  echo 'use_asdf_plugin_configuration = yes' >$HOME/.asdfrc
 }
 
 teardown() {