diff --git a/builtin/settingtypes.txt b/builtin/settingtypes.txt
index 298e70669..1ae13a3a6 100644
--- a/builtin/settingtypes.txt
+++ b/builtin/settingtypes.txt
@@ -101,6 +101,10 @@ always_fly_fast (Always fly and fast) bool true
 #    The time in seconds it takes between repeated right clicks when holding the right mouse button.
 repeat_rightclick_time (Rightclick repetition interval) float 0.25
 
+#    Prevent digging and placing from repeating when holding the mouse buttons.
+#    Enable this when you dig or place too often by accident.
+safe_dig_and_place (Safe digging and placing) bool false
+
 #    Enable random user input (only used for testing).
 random_input (Random input) bool false
 
diff --git a/minetest.conf.example b/minetest.conf.example
index 8ad579b43..6413d136a 100644
--- a/minetest.conf.example
+++ b/minetest.conf.example
@@ -75,6 +75,11 @@
 #    type: float
 # repeat_rightclick_time = 0.25
 
+#    Prevent digging and placing from repeating when holding the mouse buttons.
+#    Enable this when you dig or place too often by accident.
+#    type: bool
+# safe_dig_and_place = false
+
 #    Enable random user input (only used for testing).
 #    type: bool
 # random_input = false
diff --git a/src/defaultsettings.cpp b/src/defaultsettings.cpp
index 4f128fdae..ccf81f1e7 100644
--- a/src/defaultsettings.cpp
+++ b/src/defaultsettings.cpp
@@ -240,6 +240,7 @@ void set_default_settings(Settings *settings)
 	settings->setDefault("invert_mouse", "false");
 	settings->setDefault("mouse_sensitivity", "0.2");
 	settings->setDefault("repeat_rightclick_time", "0.25");
+	settings->setDefault("safe_dig_and_place", "false");
 	settings->setDefault("random_input", "false");
 	settings->setDefault("aux1_descends", "false");
 	settings->setDefault("doubletap_jump", "false");
diff --git a/src/game.cpp b/src/game.cpp
index 0f8227749..c3d844634 100644
--- a/src/game.cpp
+++ b/src/game.cpp
@@ -1142,6 +1142,7 @@ struct GameRunData {
 	bool digging;
 	bool ldown_for_dig;
 	bool dig_instantly;
+	bool digging_blocked;
 	bool left_punch;
 	bool update_wielded_item_trigger;
 	bool reset_jump_timer;
@@ -3559,6 +3560,11 @@ void Game::processPlayerInteraction(f32 dtime, bool show_hud, bool show_debug)
 		hud->updateSelectionMesh(camera_offset);
 	}
 
+	if (runData.digging_blocked && !isLeftPressed()) {
+		// allow digging again if button is not pressed
+		runData.digging_blocked = false;
+	}
+
 	/*
 		Stop digging when
 		- releasing left mouse button
@@ -3603,7 +3609,8 @@ void Game::processPlayerInteraction(f32 dtime, bool show_hud, bool show_debug)
 
 	soundmaker->m_player_leftpunch_sound.name = "";
 
-	if (isRightPressed())
+	// Prepare for repeating, unless we're not supposed to
+	if (isRightPressed() && !g_settings->getBool("safe_dig_and_place"))
 		runData.repeat_rightclick_timer += dtime;
 	else
 		runData.repeat_rightclick_timer = 0;
@@ -3762,6 +3769,7 @@ void Game::handlePointingAtNode(const PointedThing &pointed,
 	ClientMap &map = client->getEnv().getClientMap();
 
 	if (runData.nodig_delay_timer <= 0.0 && isLeftPressed()
+			&& !runData.digging_blocked
 			&& client->checkPrivilege("interact")) {
 		handleDigging(pointed, nodepos, playeritem_toolcap, dtime);
 	}
@@ -3985,6 +3993,9 @@ void Game::handleDigging(const PointedThing &pointed, const v3s16 &nodepos,
 
 		runData.dig_time = 0;
 		runData.digging = false;
+		// we successfully dug, now block it from repeating if we want to be safe
+		if (g_settings->getBool("safe_dig_and_place"))
+			runData.digging_blocked = true;
 
 		runData.nodig_delay_timer =
 				runData.dig_time_complete / (float)crack_animation_length;