diff --git a/certificates/index.php b/certificates/index.php
index 5619454eb6..d33b879a46 100755
--- a/certificates/index.php
+++ b/certificates/index.php
@@ -20,6 +20,13 @@ $certificate = new Certificate($_GET['id']);
 
 switch ($action) {
     case 'export':
+        if (
+            api_is_student() &&
+            api_get_configuration_value('hide_certificate_export_link_students')
+        ) {
+            api_not_allowed(true);
+        }
+
         $certificate->generate(array('hide_print_button' => true));
 
         if ($certificate->html_file_is_generated()) {
diff --git a/main/gradebook/lib/be/category.class.php b/main/gradebook/lib/be/category.class.php
index 34aa635c7d..cb58fd91c4 100755
--- a/main/gradebook/lib/be/category.class.php
+++ b/main/gradebook/lib/be/category.class.php
@@ -1683,6 +1683,14 @@ class Category implements GradebookItem
                         ),
                         "$url&action=export"
                     );
+
+                    if (
+                        api_is_student() &&
+                        api_get_configuration_value('hide_certificate_export_link_students')
+                    ) {
+                        $exportToPDF = null;
+                    }
+
                     $html = array(
                         'certificate_link' => $certificates,
                         'pdf_link' => $exportToPDF
diff --git a/main/install/configuration.dist.php b/main/install/configuration.dist.php
index 000a7bd157..b942a3083e 100755
--- a/main/install/configuration.dist.php
+++ b/main/install/configuration.dist.php
@@ -301,4 +301,5 @@ $_configuration['system_stable']     = NEW_VERSION_STABLE;
 //$_configuration['limit_session_admin_role'] = false;
 // Show session description
 //$_configuration['show_session_description'] = false;
-
+// Hide only for students the link to export certificates to PDF 
+//$_configuration['hide_certificate_export_link_students'] = false;