diff --git a/src/gl/renderer/gl_postprocess.cpp b/src/gl/renderer/gl_postprocess.cpp
index 2fcfe245a..23fdda2eb 100644
--- a/src/gl/renderer/gl_postprocess.cpp
+++ b/src/gl/renderer/gl_postprocess.cpp
@@ -105,6 +105,12 @@ CUSTOM_CVAR(Int, gl_ssao, 0, CVAR_ARCHIVE | CVAR_GLOBALCONFIG)
 		self = 0;
 }
 
+CUSTOM_CVAR(Int, gl_ssao_portals, 0, CVAR_ARCHIVE | CVAR_GLOBALCONFIG)
+{
+	if (self < 0)
+		self = 0;
+}
+
 CVAR(Float, gl_ssao_strength, 0.7, CVAR_ARCHIVE | CVAR_GLOBALCONFIG)
 CVAR(Bool, gl_ssao_debug, false, 0)
 CVAR(Float, gl_ssao_bias, 0.5f, 0)
diff --git a/src/gl/scene/gl_scene.cpp b/src/gl/scene/gl_scene.cpp
index 3efd22155..b6120f940 100644
--- a/src/gl/scene/gl_scene.cpp
+++ b/src/gl/scene/gl_scene.cpp
@@ -477,6 +477,7 @@ void FGLRenderer::RenderTranslucent()
 void FGLRenderer::DrawScene(int drawmode)
 {
 	static int recursion=0;
+	static int ssao_portals_available = 0;
 
 	if (camera != nullptr)
 	{
@@ -494,8 +495,16 @@ void FGLRenderer::DrawScene(int drawmode)
 	}
 	GLRenderer->mClipPortal = NULL;	// this must be reset before any portal recursion takes place.
 
-	// If SSAO is active, switch to gbuffer shaders and use the gbuffer framebuffer
-	bool applySSAO = gl_ssao != 0 && FGLRenderBuffers::IsEnabled() && drawmode == DM_MAINVIEW;
+	// Decide if we need to do ssao for this scene
+	bool applySSAO = gl_ssao != 0 && FGLRenderBuffers::IsEnabled();
+	switch (drawmode)
+	{
+	case DM_MAINVIEW: ssao_portals_available = gl_ssao_portals; break;
+	case DM_OFFSCREEN: ssao_portals_available = 0; applySSAO = false; break;
+	case DM_PORTAL: applySSAO = applySSAO && (ssao_portals_available > 0); ssao_portals_available--; break;
+	}
+
+	// If SSAO is active, switch to gbuffer shaders and use the framebuffer with gbuffers
 	if (applySSAO)
 	{
 		GLenum buffers[] = { GL_COLOR_ATTACHMENT0, GL_COLOR_ATTACHMENT1 };
diff --git a/src/gl/system/gl_cvars.h b/src/gl/system/gl_cvars.h
index 845f0dd22..836787117 100644
--- a/src/gl/system/gl_cvars.h
+++ b/src/gl/system/gl_cvars.h
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ EXTERN_CVAR(Float, gl_lens_k)
 EXTERN_CVAR(Float, gl_lens_kcube)
 EXTERN_CVAR(Float, gl_lens_chromatic)
 EXTERN_CVAR(Int, gl_ssao)
+EXTERN_CVAR(Int, gl_ssao_portals)
 EXTERN_CVAR(Float, gl_ssao_strength)
 EXTERN_CVAR(Bool, gl_ssao_debug)
 EXTERN_CVAR(Float, gl_ssao_bias)
diff --git a/wadsrc/static/language.enu b/wadsrc/static/language.enu
index fae6d871b..cb3af51aa 100644
--- a/wadsrc/static/language.enu
+++ b/wadsrc/static/language.enu
@@ -2637,6 +2637,7 @@ GLPREFMNU_TONEMAP				= "Tonemap Mode";
 GLPREFMNU_BLOOM					= "Bloom effect";
 GLPREFMNU_LENS					= "Lens distortion effect";
 GLPREFMNU_SSAO					= "Ambient occlusion quality";
+GLPREFMNU_SSAO_PORTALS			= "Portals with AO";
 
 // Option Values
 OPTVAL_SMART 				= "Smart";
diff --git a/wadsrc/static/menudef.zz b/wadsrc/static/menudef.zz
index 8b742ceff..4784baa93 100644
--- a/wadsrc/static/menudef.zz
+++ b/wadsrc/static/menudef.zz
@@ -235,4 +235,5 @@ OptionMenu "GLPrefOptions"
 	Option "$GLPREFMNU_BLOOM",		 			gl_bloom,						"OnOff"
 	Option "$GLPREFMNU_LENS",		 			gl_lens,						"OnOff"
 	Option "$GLPREFMNU_SSAO",		 			gl_ssao,						"SSAOModes"
+	Slider "$GLPREFMNU_SSAO_PORTALS",			gl_ssao_portals,				0.0, 4.0, 1.0, 0
 }