diff --git a/core/java/android/webkit/WebSettings.java b/core/java/android/webkit/WebSettings.java
index 0ed5fc585f72a..d81d7f2e88fde 100644
--- a/core/java/android/webkit/WebSettings.java
+++ b/core/java/android/webkit/WebSettings.java
@@ -211,6 +211,7 @@ public class WebSettings {
     private boolean         mNavDump = false;
     private boolean         mSupportZoom = true;
     private boolean         mBuiltInZoomControls = false;
+    private boolean         mDisplayZoomControls = true;
     private boolean         mAllowFileAccess = true;
     private boolean         mLoadWithOverviewMode = false;
     private boolean         mEnableSmoothTransition = false;
@@ -507,6 +508,26 @@ public class WebSettings {
         return mBuiltInZoomControls;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Sets whether the on screen zoom buttons are used.
+     * A combination of built in zoom controls enabled
+     * and on screen zoom controls disabled allows for pinch to zoom
+     * to work without the on screen controls
+     * @hide
+     */
+    public void setDisplayZoomControls(boolean enabled) {
+        mDisplayZoomControls = enabled;
+        mWebView.updateMultiTouchSupport(mContext);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns true if the on screen zoom buttons are being used.
+     * @hide
+     */
+    public boolean getDisplayZoomControls() {
+        return mDisplayZoomControls;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Enable or disable file access within WebView. File access is enabled by
      * default.
diff --git a/core/java/android/webkit/ZoomManager.java b/core/java/android/webkit/ZoomManager.java
index 33ebcf5951107..132321721ba58 100644
--- a/core/java/android/webkit/ZoomManager.java
+++ b/core/java/android/webkit/ZoomManager.java
@@ -856,7 +856,8 @@ class ZoomManager {
     private ZoomControlBase getCurrentZoomControl() {
         if (mWebView.getSettings() != null && mWebView.getSettings().supportZoom()) {
             if (mWebView.getSettings().getBuiltInZoomControls()) {
-                if (mEmbeddedZoomControl == null) {
+                if ((mEmbeddedZoomControl == null)
+                        && mWebView.getSettings().getDisplayZoomControls()) {
                     mEmbeddedZoomControl = new ZoomControlEmbedded(this, mWebView);
                 }
                 return mEmbeddedZoomControl;