diff --git a/cms/envs/common.py b/cms/envs/common.py
index d4159ec98dde..ca60be88a8c4 100644
--- a/cms/envs/common.py
+++ b/cms/envs/common.py
@@ -592,6 +592,14 @@
     # .. toggle_creation_date: 2024-04-10
     'BADGES_ENABLED': False,
 
+    # .. toggle_name: FEATURES['IN_CONTEXT_DISCUSSION_ENABLED_DEFAULT']
+    # .. toggle_implementation: DjangoSetting
+    # .. toggle_default: True
+    # .. toggle_description: Set to False to not enable discussion sidebar by default for new units.
+    # .. toggle_use_cases: open_edx
+    # .. toggle_creation_date: 2024-08-31
+    'IN_CONTEXT_DISCUSSION_ENABLED_DEFAULT': True,
+
     # .. toggle_name: FEATURES['ENABLE_LEGACY_MD5_HASH_FOR_ANONYMOUS_USER_ID']
     # .. toggle_implementation: DjangoSetting
     # .. toggle_default: False
diff --git a/xmodule/vertical_block.py b/xmodule/vertical_block.py
index 2a10ae44497f..b03aa5a42dfb 100644
--- a/xmodule/vertical_block.py
+++ b/xmodule/vertical_block.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 from functools import reduce
 
 import pytz
+from django.conf import settings
 from lxml import etree
 from openedx_filters.learning.filters import VerticalBlockChildRenderStarted, VerticalBlockRenderCompleted
 from web_fragments.fragment import Fragment
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ class VerticalFields:
     discussion_enabled = Boolean(
         display_name=_("Enable in-context discussions for the Unit"),
         help=_("Add discussion for the Unit."),
-        default=True,
+        default=settings.FEATURES.get('IN_CONTEXT_DISCUSSION_ENABLED_DEFAULT', True),
         scope=Scope.settings,
     )