diff --git a/pudb/debugger.py b/pudb/debugger.py
index 294aec46..d1f4cac3 100644
--- a/pudb/debugger.py
+++ b/pudb/debugger.py
@@ -898,17 +898,19 @@ def edit_inspector_detail(w, size, key):
                     var.watch_expr.expression = watch_edit.get_edit_text()
 
             elif result == "del":
-                from pudb.settings import load_watches, save_watches
-                stored_expressions = [expr.strip() for expr in load_watches()]
-
-                # Remove saved expression
-                for i, stored_expr in enumerate(stored_expressions):
-                    if stored_expr == var.watch_expr.expression:
-                        del stored_watches[i]
-
-                # Save it here because self.update_var_view() is going to
-                # read saved watches again
-                save_watches(stored_watches)
+                if CONFIG["persist_watches"]:
+                    from pudb.settings import load_watches, save_watches
+                    stored_expressions = [expr.strip()
+                                          for expr in load_watches()]
+
+                    # Remove saved expression
+                    for i, stored_expr in enumerate(stored_expressions):
+                        if stored_expr == var.watch_expr.expression:
+                            del stored_expressions[i]
+
+                    # Save it here because self.update_var_view() is going to
+                    # read saved watches again
+                    save_watches(stored_expressions)
 
                 for i, watch_expr in enumerate(fvi.watches):
                     if watch_expr is var.watch_expr:
diff --git a/pudb/settings.py b/pudb/settings.py
index 67cbec62..53bd785f 100644
--- a/pudb/settings.py
+++ b/pudb/settings.py
@@ -108,6 +108,8 @@ def load_config():
 
     conf_dict.setdefault("wrap_variables", True)
 
+    conf_dict.setdefault("persist_watches", False)
+
     conf_dict.setdefault("display", "auto")
 
     conf_dict.setdefault("prompt_on_quit", True)
@@ -123,6 +125,7 @@ def normalize_bool_inplace(name):
 
     normalize_bool_inplace("line_numbers")
     normalize_bool_inplace("wrap_variables")
+    normalize_bool_inplace("persist_watches")
     normalize_bool_inplace("prompt_on_quit")
 
     return conf_dict
@@ -175,6 +178,9 @@ def _update_stringifier():
     def _update_wrap_variables():
         ui.update_var_view()
 
+    def _update_persist_watches():
+        pass
+
     def _update_config(check_box, new_state, option_newvalue):
         option, newvalue = option_newvalue
         new_conf_dict = {option: newvalue}
@@ -219,6 +225,11 @@ def _update_config(check_box, new_state, option_newvalue):
             conf_dict.update(new_conf_dict)
             _update_wrap_variables()
 
+        elif option == "persist_watches":
+            new_conf_dict["persist_watches"] = not check_box.get_state()
+            conf_dict.update(new_conf_dict)
+            _update_persist_watches()
+
     heading = urwid.Text("This is the preferences screen for PuDB. "
         "Hit Ctrl-P at any time to get back to it.\n\n"
         "Configuration settings are saved in "
@@ -353,6 +364,17 @@ def _update_config(check_box, new_state, option_newvalue):
 
     # }}}
 
+    # {{{ persist watches
+
+    cb_persist_watches = urwid.CheckBox("Persist watches",
+            bool(conf_dict["persist_watches"]), on_state_change=_update_config,
+                user_data=("persist_watches", None))
+
+    persist_watches_info = urwid.Text("\nKeep watched expressions between "
+                                      "debugging sessions.")
+
+    # }}}
+
     # {{{ display
 
     display_info = urwid.Text("What driver is used to talk to your terminal. "
@@ -402,6 +424,10 @@ def _update_config(check_box, new_state, option_newvalue):
             + [cb_wrap_variables]
             + [wrap_variables_info]
 
+            + [urwid.AttrMap(urwid.Text("\nPersist Watches:\n"), "group head")]
+            + [cb_persist_watches]
+            + [persist_watches_info]
+
             + [urwid.AttrMap(urwid.Text("\nDisplay driver:\n"), "group head")]
             + [display_info]
             + display_rbs
diff --git a/pudb/var_view.py b/pudb/var_view.py
index a45ef6bc..e133a777 100644
--- a/pudb/var_view.py
+++ b/pudb/var_view.py
@@ -536,19 +536,22 @@ def make_var_view(frame_var_info, locals, globals):
     ret_walker = BasicValueWalker(frame_var_info)
     watch_widget_list = []
 
-    from pudb.settings import load_watches, save_watches
-    stored_expressions = [expr.strip() for expr in load_watches()]
-
-    # As watch expressions are stored in a list, simply appending stored
-    # expressions to that list will add duplicates. This part is to avoid that.
-    from pudb.var_view import WatchExpression
-    existing_expressions = [expr.expression for expr in frame_var_info.watches]
-    for stored_expr in stored_expressions:
-        if stored_expr not in existing_expressions:
-            frame_var_info.watches.append(WatchExpression(stored_expr))
-
-    # Save watches because new ones may have added to a list
-    save_watches([expr.expression for expr in frame_var_info.watches])
+    if CONFIG["persist_watches"]:
+        from pudb.settings import load_watches, save_watches
+        stored_expressions = [expr.strip() for expr in load_watches()]
+
+        # As watch expressions are stored in a list, simply appending stored
+        # expressions to that list will add duplicates. This part is to avoid that.
+        from pudb.var_view import WatchExpression
+        existing_expressions = [expr.expression
+                                for expr in frame_var_info.watches]
+
+        for stored_expr in stored_expressions:
+            if stored_expr not in existing_expressions:
+                frame_var_info.watches.append(WatchExpression(stored_expr))
+
+        # Save watches because new ones may have added to a list
+        save_watches([expr.expression for expr in frame_var_info.watches])
 
     for watch_expr in frame_var_info.watches:
         try: