diff --git a/python/tk_multi_loader/dialog.py b/python/tk_multi_loader/dialog.py
index 7c6f70a..4479679 100644
--- a/python/tk_multi_loader/dialog.py
+++ b/python/tk_multi_loader/dialog.py
@@ -1792,6 +1792,7 @@ def _setup_query_model(self, app, setting_dict):
             setting_dict["filters"],
             setting_dict["hierarchy"],
             self._task_manager,
+            setting_dict.get("disable_folder_thumbnails"),
         )
 
         # Create a proxy model.
diff --git a/python/tk_multi_loader/model_entity.py b/python/tk_multi_loader/model_entity.py
index 0de4a4b..9d37dc5 100644
--- a/python/tk_multi_loader/model_entity.py
+++ b/python/tk_multi_loader/model_entity.py
@@ -24,7 +24,15 @@ class SgEntityModel(ShotgunModel):
     on the left hand side.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, parent, entity_type, filters, hierarchy, bg_task_manager):
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent,
+        entity_type,
+        filters,
+        hierarchy,
+        bg_task_manager,
+        disable_folder_thumbnails=False,
+    ):
         """
         Constructor
         """
@@ -76,6 +84,10 @@ def __init__(self, parent, entity_type, filters, hierarchy, bg_task_manager):
             bg_task_manager=bg_task_manager,
         )
         fields = ["image", "sg_status_list", "description"]
+
+        # To significantly speed up the query, conditionally remove the 'image' field
+        if disable_folder_thumbnails:
+            fields.remove("image")
         self._load_data(entity_type, filters, hierarchy, fields)
 
     ############################################################################################