diff --git a/spyder/config/main.py b/spyder/config/main.py
index 939249a245d..3558d266595 100755
--- a/spyder/config/main.py
+++ b/spyder/config/main.py
@@ -169,7 +169,8 @@
               'symbolic_math': False,
               'in_prompt': '',
               'out_prompt': '',
-              'show_elapsed_time': False
+              'show_elapsed_time': False,
+              'ask_before_restart': True
               }),
             ('variable_explorer',
              {
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/ipythonconsole.py b/spyder/plugins/ipythonconsole.py
index 0b85c5bce14..2a3d1a0d1b4 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/ipythonconsole.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/ipythonconsole.py
@@ -310,6 +310,11 @@ def setup_page(self):
                 tip=_("This option lets you hide the warning message shown\n"
                       "when resetting the namespace from Spyder."))
         show_time_box = newcb(_("Show elapsed time"), 'show_elapsed_time')
+        ask_restart_box = newcb(
+                _("Ask for confirmation before restarting"),
+                'ask_before_restart',
+                tip=_("This option lets you hide the warning message shown\n"
+                      "when restarting the kernel."))
 
         interface_layout = QVBoxLayout()
         interface_layout.addWidget(banner_box)
@@ -318,6 +323,7 @@ def setup_page(self):
         interface_layout.addWidget(ask_box)
         interface_layout.addWidget(reset_namespace_box)
         interface_layout.addWidget(show_time_box)
+        interface_layout.addWidget(ask_restart_box)
         interface_group.setLayout(interface_layout)
 
         comp_group = QGroupBox(_("Completion Type"))
@@ -739,6 +745,8 @@ def apply_plugin_settings(self, options):
         show_time_o = self.get_option(show_time_n)
         reset_namespace_n = 'show_reset_namespace_warning'
         reset_namespace_o = self.get_option(reset_namespace_n)
+        ask_before_restart_n = 'ask_before_restart'
+        ask_before_restart_o = self.get_option(ask_before_restart_n)
         for client in self.clients:
             control = client.get_control()
             if font_n in options:
@@ -752,6 +760,8 @@ def apply_plugin_settings(self, options):
                 client.set_elapsed_time_visible(show_time_o)
             if reset_namespace_n in options:
                 client.reset_warning = reset_namespace_o
+            if ask_before_restart_n in options:
+                client.ask_before_restart = ask_before_restart_o
 
     def toggle_view(self, checked):
         """Toggle view"""
@@ -1079,6 +1089,7 @@ def create_new_client(self, give_focus=True, filename='', is_cython=False,
         cf = self._new_connection_file()
         show_elapsed_time = self.get_option('show_elapsed_time')
         reset_warning = self.get_option('show_reset_namespace_warning')
+        ask_before_restart = self.get_option('ask_before_restart')
         client = ClientWidget(self, id_=client_id,
                               history_filename=get_conf_path('history.py'),
                               config_options=self.config_options(),
@@ -1091,7 +1102,8 @@ def create_new_client(self, give_focus=True, filename='', is_cython=False,
                               options_button=self.options_button,
                               show_elapsed_time=show_elapsed_time,
                               reset_warning=reset_warning,
-                              given_name=given_name)
+                              given_name=given_name,
+                              ask_before_restart=ask_before_restart)
         if self.testing:
             client.stderr_dir = self.test_dir
         self.add_tab(client, name=client.get_name(), filename=filename)
@@ -1822,6 +1834,7 @@ def _create_client_for_kernel(self, connection_file, hostname, sshkey,
         # Creating the client
         show_elapsed_time = self.get_option('show_elapsed_time')
         reset_warning = self.get_option('show_reset_namespace_warning')
+        ask_before_restart = self.get_option('ask_before_restart')
         client = ClientWidget(self,
                               id_=client_id,
                               given_name=given_name,
@@ -1835,7 +1848,8 @@ def _create_client_for_kernel(self, connection_file, hostname, sshkey,
                               external_kernel=external_kernel,
                               slave=True,
                               show_elapsed_time=show_elapsed_time,
-                              reset_warning=reset_warning)
+                              reset_warning=reset_warning,
+                              ask_before_restart=ask_before_restart)
 
         # Create kernel client
         kernel_client = QtKernelClient(connection_file=connection_file)
diff --git a/spyder/widgets/ipythonconsole/client.py b/spyder/widgets/ipythonconsole/client.py
index 0fea9f46f70..7fdd2ff53a7 100644
--- a/spyder/widgets/ipythonconsole/client.py
+++ b/spyder/widgets/ipythonconsole/client.py
@@ -103,7 +103,8 @@ def __init__(self, plugin, id_,
                  external_kernel=False, given_name=None,
                  options_button=None,
                  show_elapsed_time=False,
-                 reset_warning=True):
+                 reset_warning=True,
+                 ask_before_restart=True):
         super(ClientWidget, self).__init__(plugin)
         SaveHistoryMixin.__init__(self, history_filename)
 
@@ -117,6 +118,7 @@ def __init__(self, plugin, id_,
         self.given_name = given_name
         self.show_elapsed_time = show_elapsed_time
         self.reset_warning = reset_warning
+        self.ask_before_restart = ask_before_restart
 
         # --- Other attrs
         self.options_button = options_button
@@ -477,7 +479,7 @@ def restart_kernel(self):
         """
         sw = self.shellwidget
 
-        if not running_under_pytest():
+        if not running_under_pytest() and self.ask_before_restart:
             message = _('Are you sure you want to restart the kernel?')
             buttons = QMessageBox.Yes | QMessageBox.No
             result = QMessageBox.question(self, _('Restart kernel?'),
@@ -485,7 +487,9 @@ def restart_kernel(self):
         else:
             result = None
 
-        if result == QMessageBox.Yes or running_under_pytest():
+        if (result == QMessageBox.Yes or
+           running_under_pytest() or
+           not self.ask_before_restart):
             if sw.kernel_manager:
                 if self.infowidget.isVisible():
                     self.infowidget.hide()