diff --git a/solara/server/kernel_context.py b/solara/server/kernel_context.py
index 19a115bea..def62424b 100644
--- a/solara/server/kernel_context.py
+++ b/solara/server/kernel_context.py
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ def initialize_virtual_kernel(session_id: str, kernel_id: str, websocket: websoc
     if kernel_id in contexts:
         logger.info("reusing virtual kernel: %s", kernel_id)
         context = contexts[kernel_id]
-        if context.session_id != session_id:
+        if solara.server.settings.kernel.session_check and context.session_id != session_id:
             logger.critical("Session id mismatch when reusing kernel (hack attempt?): %s != %s", context.session_id, session_id)
             websocket.send_text("Session id mismatch when reusing kernel (hack attempt?)")
             # to avoid very fast reconnects (we are in a thread anyway)
diff --git a/solara/server/settings.py b/solara/server/settings.py
index f9e257c53..d08218246 100644
--- a/solara/server/settings.py
+++ b/solara/server/settings.py
@@ -108,6 +108,7 @@ class Kernel(BaseSettings):
     cull_timeout: str = "24h"
     max_count: Optional[int] = None
     threaded: bool = solara.util.has_threads
+    session_check: bool = True
 
     class Config:
         env_prefix = "solara_kernel_"