diff --git a/openerp/models.py b/openerp/models.py
index 1b75bd2e05f..c4c7f69dd2f 100644
--- a/openerp/models.py
+++ b/openerp/models.py
@@ -295,6 +295,7 @@ class BaseModel(object):
     _sequence = None
     _description = None
     _needaction = False
+    _translate = True # set to False to disable translations export for this model
 
     # dict of {field:method}, with method returning the (name_get of records, {id: fold})
     # to include in the _read_group, if grouped on this field
diff --git a/openerp/tools/translate.py b/openerp/tools/translate.py
index 01d945c7867..25ee4218d0f 100644
--- a/openerp/tools/translate.py
+++ b/openerp/tools/translate.py
@@ -668,6 +668,10 @@ def trans_generate(lang, modules, cr):
             _logger.error("Unable to find object %r", model)
             continue
 
+        if not registry[model]._translate:
+            # explicitly disabled
+            continue
+
         exists = registry[model].exists(cr, uid, res_id)
         if not exists:
             _logger.warning("Unable to find object %r with id %d", model, res_id)
@@ -688,7 +692,8 @@ def trans_generate(lang, modules, cr):
                 _logger.error("name error in %s: %s", xml_name, str(exc))
                 continue
             objmodel = registry.get(obj.model)
-            if objmodel is None or field_name not in objmodel._columns:
+            if (objmodel is None or field_name not in objmodel._columns
+                    or not objmodel._translate):
                 continue
             field_def = objmodel._columns[field_name]