diff --git a/config.example.py b/config.example.py
index 844c0e8..904eb41 100644
--- a/config.example.py
+++ b/config.example.py
@@ -152,3 +152,7 @@ ES_INDEX_NAME = SITE_FLAVOR
 # Time limit for editing a comment after it has been posted (seconds)
 # Set to 0 to disable
 EDITING_TIME_LIMIT = 0
+
+# Whether to use Gravatar or just always use the default avatar
+# (Useful if run as development instance behind NAT/firewall)
+ENABLE_GRAVATAR = True
diff --git a/nyaa/__init__.py b/nyaa/__init__.py
index e743c6f..062b4fd 100644
--- a/nyaa/__init__.py
+++ b/nyaa/__init__.py
@@ -96,4 +96,10 @@ def create_app(config):
     app.register_blueprint(api_blueprint)
     register_views(app)
 
+    # Pregenerate some URLs to avoid repeat url_for calls
+    if 'SERVER_NAME' in app.config and app.config['SERVER_NAME']:
+        with app.app_context():
+            url = flask.url_for('static', filename='img/avatar/default.png', _external=True)
+            app.config['DEFAULT_GRAVATAR_URL'] = url
+
     return app
diff --git a/nyaa/models.py b/nyaa/models.py
index fda4be2..f4b2c48 100644
--- a/nyaa/models.py
+++ b/nyaa/models.py
@@ -518,19 +518,27 @@ class User(db.Model):
         return all(checks)
 
     def gravatar_url(self):
-        # from http://en.gravatar.com/site/implement/images/python/
-        params = {
-            # Image size (https://en.gravatar.com/site/implement/images/#size)
-            's': 120,
-            # Default image (https://en.gravatar.com/site/implement/images/#default-image)
-            'd': flask.url_for('static', filename='img/avatar/default.png', _external=True),
-            # Image rating (https://en.gravatar.com/site/implement/images/#rating)
-            # Nyaa: PG-rated, Sukebei: X-rated
-            'r': 'pg' if app.config['SITE_FLAVOR'] == 'nyaa' else 'x',
-        }
-        # construct the url
-        return 'https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/{}?{}'.format(
-            md5(self.email.encode('utf-8').lower()).hexdigest(), urlencode(params))
+        if 'DEFAULT_GRAVATAR_URL' in app.config:
+            default_url = app.config['DEFAULT_GRAVATAR_URL']
+        else:
+            default_url = flask.url_for('static', filename='img/avatar/default.png',
+                                        _external=True)
+        if app.config['ENABLE_GRAVATAR']:
+            # from http://en.gravatar.com/site/implement/images/python/
+            params = {
+                # Image size (https://en.gravatar.com/site/implement/images/#size)
+                's': 120,
+                # Default image (https://en.gravatar.com/site/implement/images/#default-image)
+                'd': default_url,
+                # Image rating (https://en.gravatar.com/site/implement/images/#rating)
+                # Nyaa: PG-rated, Sukebei: X-rated
+                'r': 'pg' if app.config['SITE_FLAVOR'] == 'nyaa' else 'x',
+            }
+            # construct the url
+            return 'https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/{}?{}'.format(
+                md5(self.email.encode('utf-8').lower()).hexdigest(), urlencode(params))
+        else:
+            return default_url
 
     @property
     def userlevel_str(self):