diff --git a/api/config/settings/common.py b/api/config/settings/common.py
index f2323e363..1fb52fd3d 100644
--- a/api/config/settings/common.py
+++ b/api/config/settings/common.py
@@ -1237,6 +1237,8 @@ Example:
 
 - ``signup=5/d,password-reset=2/d,anonymous-reports=5/d``
 """
+API_AUTHENTICATION_REQUIRED = env.bool("API_AUTHENTICATION_REQUIRED", default=False)
+"""used by APIAutenticationRequired to allow or not access without authentication"""
 
 BROWSABLE_API_ENABLED = env.bool("BROWSABLE_API_ENABLED", default=False)
 if BROWSABLE_API_ENABLED:
diff --git a/api/funkwhale_api/common/dynamic_preferences_registry.py b/api/funkwhale_api/common/dynamic_preferences_registry.py
index 4733d3a18..495e2bebd 100644
--- a/api/funkwhale_api/common/dynamic_preferences_registry.py
+++ b/api/funkwhale_api/common/dynamic_preferences_registry.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+from django.conf import settings
 from dynamic_preferences import types
 from dynamic_preferences.registries import global_preferences_registry
 
@@ -9,7 +10,7 @@ class APIAutenticationRequired(types.BooleanPreference):
     section = common
     name = "api_authentication_required"
     verbose_name = "API Requires authentication"
-    default = True
+    default = settings.API_AUTHENTICATION_REQUIRED
     help_text = (
         "If disabled, anonymous users will be able to query the API "
         "and access music data (as well as other data exposed in the API "