diff --git a/plugins/vi-mode/README.md b/plugins/vi-mode/README.md
index fdf3ede73..41faf2de0 100644
--- a/plugins/vi-mode/README.md
+++ b/plugins/vi-mode/README.md
@@ -22,6 +22,13 @@ plugins=(... vi-mode)
   The default value is unset, unless `vi_mode_prompt_info` is used, in which case it'll
   automatically be set to `true`.
 
+- `VI_MODE_SET_CURSOR`: controls whether the cursor style is changed when switching
+  to a different input mode. Set it to `true` to enable it (default: unset):
+
+  ```zsh
+  VI_MODE_SET_CURSOR=true
+  ```
+
 - `MODE_INDICATOR`: controls the string displayed when the shell is in normal mode.
   See [Mode indicator](#mode-indicator) for details.
 
diff --git a/plugins/vi-mode/vi-mode.plugin.zsh b/plugins/vi-mode/vi-mode.plugin.zsh
index f83ea7696..e5b252d83 100644
--- a/plugins/vi-mode/vi-mode.plugin.zsh
+++ b/plugins/vi-mode/vi-mode.plugin.zsh
@@ -4,13 +4,21 @@
 # This is especially true if the prompt does things like checking git status.
 #
 # Set to "true" to force the prompt to reset on each mode change.
-# Set to "false" to force the prompt *not* to reset on each mode change.
+# Unset or set to any other value to do the opposite.
 #
-# (The default is not to reset, unless we're showing the mode in RPS1).
+# The default is not to reset, unless we're showing the mode in RPS1.
 typeset -g VI_MODE_RESET_PROMPT_ON_MODE_CHANGE
+# Control whether to change the cursor style on mode change.
+#
+# Set to "true" to change the cursor on each mode change.
+# Unset or set to any other value to do the opposite.
+typeset -g VI_MODE_SET_CURSOR
+
 typeset -g VI_KEYMAP=main
 
 function _vi-mode-set-cursor-shape-for-keymap() {
+  [[ "$VI_MODE_SET_CURSOR" = true ]] || return
+
   # https://vt100.net/docs/vt510-rm/DECSCUSR
   local _shape=0
   case "${1:-${VI_KEYMAP:-main}}" in