diff --git a/src/api/java/baritone/api/Settings.java b/src/api/java/baritone/api/Settings.java
index c70d60de..b2d89fd8 100644
--- a/src/api/java/baritone/api/Settings.java
+++ b/src/api/java/baritone/api/Settings.java
@@ -121,6 +121,13 @@ public final class Settings {
      */
     public final Setting<Boolean> allowDiagonalDescend = new Setting<>(false);
 
+    /**
+     * Allow mining the block directly beneath its feet
+     * <p>
+     * Turn this off to force it to make more staircases and less shafts
+     */
+    public final Setting<Boolean> allowDownward = new Setting<>(true);
+
     /**
      * Blocks that Baritone is allowed to place (as throwaway, for sneak bridging, pillaring, etc.)
      */
diff --git a/src/main/java/baritone/pathing/movement/CalculationContext.java b/src/main/java/baritone/pathing/movement/CalculationContext.java
index 6edb8953..4dda3283 100644
--- a/src/main/java/baritone/pathing/movement/CalculationContext.java
+++ b/src/main/java/baritone/pathing/movement/CalculationContext.java
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ public class CalculationContext {
     public final boolean allowJumpAt256;
     public final boolean assumeWalkOnWater;
     public final boolean allowDiagonalDescend;
+    public final boolean allowDownward;
     public final int maxFallHeightNoWater;
     public final int maxFallHeightBucket;
     public final double waterWalkSpeed;
@@ -91,6 +92,7 @@ public class CalculationContext {
         this.allowJumpAt256 = Baritone.settings().allowJumpAt256.value;
         this.assumeWalkOnWater = Baritone.settings().assumeWalkOnWater.value;
         this.allowDiagonalDescend = Baritone.settings().allowDiagonalDescend.value;
+        this.allowDownward = Baritone.settings().allowDownward.value;
         this.maxFallHeightNoWater = Baritone.settings().maxFallHeightNoWater.value;
         this.maxFallHeightBucket = Baritone.settings().maxFallHeightBucket.value;
         int depth = EnchantmentHelper.getDepthStriderModifier(player);
diff --git a/src/main/java/baritone/pathing/movement/movements/MovementDownward.java b/src/main/java/baritone/pathing/movement/movements/MovementDownward.java
index 2bec8fcf..47ed9580 100644
--- a/src/main/java/baritone/pathing/movement/movements/MovementDownward.java
+++ b/src/main/java/baritone/pathing/movement/movements/MovementDownward.java
@@ -48,6 +48,9 @@ public class MovementDownward extends Movement {
     }
 
     public static double cost(CalculationContext context, int x, int y, int z) {
+        if (!context.allowDownward) {
+            return COST_INF;
+        }
         if (!MovementHelper.canWalkOn(context.bsi, x, y - 2, z)) {
             return COST_INF;
         }