diff --git a/clients/client-core/src/config/mod.rs b/clients/client-core/src/config/mod.rs
index be7244fe97..cde306379c 100644
--- a/clients/client-core/src/config/mod.rs
+++ b/clients/client-core/src/config/mod.rs
@@ -239,6 +239,10 @@ impl<T: NymConfig> Config<T> {
         self.debug.topology_resolution_timeout
     }
 
+    pub fn get_disabled_loop_cover_traffic_stream(&self) -> bool {
+        self.debug.disable_loop_cover_traffic_stream
+    }
+
     pub fn get_version(&self) -> &str {
         &self.client.version
     }
@@ -449,6 +453,10 @@ pub struct Debug {
     /// did not reach its destination.
     #[serde(with = "humantime_serde")]
     pub topology_resolution_timeout: Duration,
+
+    /// Controls whether the dedicated loop cover traffic stream should be enabled.
+    /// (and sending packets, on average, every [Self::loop_cover_traffic_average_delay])
+    disable_loop_cover_traffic_stream: bool,
 }
 
 impl Default for Debug {
@@ -463,6 +471,7 @@ impl Default for Debug {
             gateway_response_timeout: DEFAULT_GATEWAY_RESPONSE_TIMEOUT,
             topology_refresh_rate: DEFAULT_TOPOLOGY_REFRESH_RATE,
             topology_resolution_timeout: DEFAULT_TOPOLOGY_RESOLUTION_TIMEOUT,
+            disable_loop_cover_traffic_stream: false,
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/clients/native/src/client/mod.rs b/clients/native/src/client/mod.rs
index 3ad6addfe0..9a2fc32c0b 100644
--- a/clients/native/src/client/mod.rs
+++ b/clients/native/src/client/mod.rs
@@ -398,11 +398,17 @@ impl NymClient {
             shutdown.subscribe(),
         );
 
-        self.start_cover_traffic_stream(
-            shared_topology_accessor,
-            sphinx_message_sender,
-            shutdown.subscribe(),
-        );
+        if !self
+            .config
+            .get_base()
+            .get_disabled_loop_cover_traffic_stream()
+        {
+            self.start_cover_traffic_stream(
+                shared_topology_accessor,
+                sphinx_message_sender,
+                shutdown.subscribe(),
+            );
+        }
 
         match self.config.get_socket_type() {
             SocketType::WebSocket => {
diff --git a/clients/socks5/src/client/mod.rs b/clients/socks5/src/client/mod.rs
index ce89c29a26..966f0545f0 100644
--- a/clients/socks5/src/client/mod.rs
+++ b/clients/socks5/src/client/mod.rs
@@ -388,11 +388,18 @@ impl NymClient {
             shutdown.subscribe(),
         );
 
-        self.start_cover_traffic_stream(
-            shared_topology_accessor,
-            sphinx_message_sender,
-            shutdown.subscribe(),
-        );
+        if !self
+            .config
+            .get_base()
+            .get_disabled_loop_cover_traffic_stream()
+        {
+            self.start_cover_traffic_stream(
+                shared_topology_accessor,
+                sphinx_message_sender,
+                shutdown.subscribe(),
+            );
+        }
+
         self.start_socks5_listener(
             received_buffer_request_sender,
             input_sender,