diff --git a/core/res/res/values/config.xml b/core/res/res/values/config.xml
index 652e40cc66e58..52ef4f942a760 100644
--- a/core/res/res/values/config.xml
+++ b/core/res/res/values/config.xml
@@ -473,6 +473,8 @@
     <bool name="config_allowTheaterModeWakeFromDock">false</bool>
     <!-- If this is true, allow wake from theater mode from window layout flag. -->
     <bool name="config_allowTheaterModeWakeFromWindowLayout">false</bool>
+    <!-- If this is true, go to sleep when theater mode is enabled from button press -->
+    <bool name="config_goToSleepOnButtonPressTheaterMode">true</bool>
 
     <!-- Auto-rotation behavior -->
 
diff --git a/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml b/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
index a5f0ff12eb00c..db3ced1ce9c50 100644
--- a/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
+++ b/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
@@ -1584,6 +1584,7 @@
   <java-symbol type="bool" name="config_allowTheaterModeWakeFromLidSwitch" />
   <java-symbol type="bool" name="config_allowTheaterModeWakeFromDock" />
   <java-symbol type="bool" name="config_allowTheaterModeWakeFromWindowLayout" />
+  <java-symbol type="bool" name="config_goToSleepOnButtonPressTheaterMode" />
   <java-symbol type="bool" name="config_wifi_background_scan_support" />
   <java-symbol type="bool" name="config_wifi_dual_band_support" />
   <java-symbol type="bool" name="config_wimaxEnabled" />
diff --git a/policy/src/com/android/internal/policy/impl/PhoneWindowManager.java b/policy/src/com/android/internal/policy/impl/PhoneWindowManager.java
index 792712f66e1b7..0291a354f7409 100644
--- a/policy/src/com/android/internal/policy/impl/PhoneWindowManager.java
+++ b/policy/src/com/android/internal/policy/impl/PhoneWindowManager.java
@@ -527,6 +527,9 @@ public class PhoneWindowManager implements WindowManagerPolicy {
     private boolean mAllowTheaterModeWakeFromLidSwitch;
     private boolean mAllowTheaterModeWakeFromWakeGesture;
 
+    // Whether to go to sleep entering theater mode from power button
+    private boolean mGoToSleepOnButtonPressTheaterMode;
+
     // Screenshot trigger states
     // Time to volume and power must be pressed within this interval of each other.
     private static final long SCREENSHOT_CHORD_DEBOUNCE_DELAY_MILLIS = 150;
@@ -984,7 +987,8 @@ public class PhoneWindowManager implements WindowManagerPolicy {
                     Slog.i(TAG, "Toggling theater mode on.");
                     Settings.Global.putInt(mContext.getContentResolver(),
                             Settings.Global.THEATER_MODE_ON, 1);
-                    if (interactive) {
+
+                    if (mGoToSleepOnButtonPressTheaterMode && interactive) {
                         mPowerManager.goToSleep(eventTime,
                                 PowerManager.GO_TO_SLEEP_REASON_POWER_BUTTON, 0);
                     }
@@ -1236,6 +1240,9 @@ public class PhoneWindowManager implements WindowManagerPolicy {
         mAllowTheaterModeWakeFromWakeGesture = mContext.getResources().getBoolean(
                 com.android.internal.R.bool.config_allowTheaterModeWakeFromGesture);
 
+        mGoToSleepOnButtonPressTheaterMode = mContext.getResources().getBoolean(
+                com.android.internal.R.bool.config_goToSleepOnButtonPressTheaterMode);
+
         mShortPressOnPowerBehavior = mContext.getResources().getInteger(
                 com.android.internal.R.integer.config_shortPressOnPowerBehavior);
         mLongPressOnPowerBehavior = mContext.getResources().getInteger(