diff --git a/src/main/java/tconstruct/TConstruct.java b/src/main/java/tconstruct/TConstruct.java
index 3b04c81cffe..19d678a18d1 100644
--- a/src/main/java/tconstruct/TConstruct.java
+++ b/src/main/java/tconstruct/TConstruct.java
@@ -286,6 +286,8 @@ public static class Spawntercepter {
 
         @SubscribeEvent
         public void onEntitySpawn(EntityJoinWorldEvent event) {
+            // return if config is zero to keep vanilla functionality
+            if (PHConstruct.globalDespawn == 0) return;
             if (event.entity instanceof EntityItem) {
                 EntityItem ourGuy = (EntityItem) event.entity;
                 if (ourGuy.lifespan == 6000) {
diff --git a/src/main/java/tconstruct/util/config/PHConstruct.java b/src/main/java/tconstruct/util/config/PHConstruct.java
index ff9fec53a64..a8b5fe2ef8f 100644
--- a/src/main/java/tconstruct/util/config/PHConstruct.java
+++ b/src/main/java/tconstruct/util/config/PHConstruct.java
@@ -71,10 +71,14 @@ public static void initProps(File location) {
                 "Difficulty Changes",
                 "Add alternative recipe for bolt parts: arrowhead + toolrod in a crafting grid",
                 false).getBoolean(false);
-        indestructible = config.get("Difficulty Changes", "Dropped tools are indestructible", false).getBoolean(false);
-        globalDespawn = config.get("Difficulty Changes", "Global item despawn time", 18000).getInt(18000);
-        dropCanisters = config.get("Difficulty Changes", "Drop heart canisters on death", true).getBoolean(true);
-        daggerThrowMultiplier = config.get("Difficulty Changes", "Thrown dagger output multiplier", 3).getDouble(3);
+        indestructible = config.get("Difficulty Changes", "Dropped tools are indestructible", true).getBoolean(true);
+        globalDespawn = config.get(
+                "Difficulty Changes",
+                "Global item despawn time",
+                0,
+                "Changes the despawn time of all items, 0 is vanilla behavior").getInt(0);
+        dropCanisters = config.get("Difficulty Changes", "Drop heart canisters on death", false).getBoolean(false);
+        daggerThrowMultiplier = config.get("Difficulty Changes", "Thrown dagger output multiplier", 1).getDouble(1);
 
         naturalSlimeSpawn = config.get("Mobs", "Blue Slime spawn chance", 1, "Set to 0 to disable").getInt(1);