diff --git a/frigate/config.py b/frigate/config.py
index 883215d83..eb2b47869 100644
--- a/frigate/config.py
+++ b/frigate/config.py
@@ -216,7 +216,9 @@ CAMERAS_SCHEMA = vol.Schema(vol.All(
             },
             'objects': OBJECTS_SCHEMA,
             vol.Optional('motion', default={}): MOTION_SCHEMA,
-            vol.Optional('detect', default={}): DETECT_SCHEMA
+            vol.Optional('detect', default={}): DETECT_SCHEMA.extend({
+                vol.Optional('enabled', default=True): bool
+            })
         }
     }, vol.Msg(ensure_zones_and_cameras_have_different_names, msg='Zones cannot share names with cameras'))
 )
@@ -737,14 +739,20 @@ class MotionConfig():
 
 class DetectConfig():
     def __init__(self, global_config, config, camera_fps):
+        self._enabled = config['enabled']
         self._max_disappeared = config.get('max_disappeared', global_config.get('max_disappeared', camera_fps*2))
 
+    @property
+    def enabled(self):
+        return self._enabled
+
     @property
     def max_disappeared(self):
         return self._max_disappeared
 
     def to_dict(self):
         return {
+            'enabled': self.enabled,
             'max_disappeared': self._max_disappeared,
         }
 
diff --git a/frigate/mqtt.py b/frigate/mqtt.py
index 44c3edfb3..98b027972 100644
--- a/frigate/mqtt.py
+++ b/frigate/mqtt.py
@@ -65,14 +65,18 @@ def create_mqtt_client(config: FrigateConfig, camera_metrics):
         camera_name = message.topic.split('/')[-3]
         command = message.topic.split('/')[-1]
 
+        detect_settings = config.cameras[camera_name].detect
+
         if payload == 'ON':
             if not camera_metrics[camera_name]["detection_enabled"].value:
                 logger.info(f"Turning on detection for {camera_name} via mqtt")
                 camera_metrics[camera_name]["detection_enabled"].value = True
+                detect_settings._enabled = True
         elif payload == 'OFF':
             if camera_metrics[camera_name]["detection_enabled"].value:
                 logger.info(f"Turning off detection for {camera_name} via mqtt")
                 camera_metrics[camera_name]["detection_enabled"].value = False
+                detect_settings._enabled = False
         else:
             logger.warning(f"Received unsupported value at {message.topic}: {payload}")