diff --git a/tools/clog-builder-asdf-browser.lisp b/tools/clog-builder-asdf-browser.lisp
index a83a67a..85fae02 100644
--- a/tools/clog-builder-asdf-browser.lisp
+++ b/tools/clog-builder-asdf-browser.lisp
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
                                      :width 592 :height 435
                                      :client-movement *client-side-movement*))
          (panel (create-asdf-systems (window-content win))))
-    (when *open-external*
+    (when (or *open-external* *open-external-panels-always*)
       (setf (checkedp (ext-open-source panel)) t))
     (when *open-panels-as-popups*
       (setf (checkedp (pop-open-clog panel)) t))
diff --git a/tools/clog-builder-panels.lisp b/tools/clog-builder-panels.lisp
index c8d35c8..1218a43 100644
--- a/tools/clog-builder-panels.lisp
+++ b/tools/clog-builder-panels.lisp
@@ -1072,13 +1072,13 @@ not a temporarily attached one when using select-control."
 
 (defun on-new-builder-page (obj)
   "Open new page"
-  (if *open-external*
+  (if (or *open-external* *open-external-panels-always*)
       (on-new-builder-panel-ext obj :open-ext t)
       (on-new-builder-panel obj :open-ext t)))
 
 (defun on-new-builder-basic-page (obj)
   "Menu item to open new basic HTML page"
-  (if *open-external*
+  (if (or *open-external* *open-external-panels-always*)
       (on-new-builder-panel-ext obj :open-ext :custom)
       (on-new-builder-panel obj :open-ext :custom)))
 
@@ -1086,7 +1086,7 @@ not a temporarily attached one when using select-control."
   (input-dialog obj "Boot file Name?"
                 (lambda (file)
                   (when file
-                    (if *open-external*
+                    (if (or *open-external* *open-external-panels-always*)
                         (on-new-builder-panel-ext obj :open-ext file)
                         (on-new-builder-panel obj :open-ext file))))))
 
diff --git a/tools/clog-builder-project-tree.lisp b/tools/clog-builder-project-tree.lisp
index 7de78c6..5df7962 100644
--- a/tools/clog-builder-project-tree.lisp
+++ b/tools/clog-builder-project-tree.lisp
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     (cond ((and (> (length item) 5)
                 (equalp (subseq item (- (length item) 5)) ".clog"))
             (if (or (eq method :tab)
-                 (and (not (eq method :here)) *open-external*))
+                 (and (not (eq method :here)) (or *open-external* *open-external-panels-always* )))
                 (on-new-builder-panel-ext panel :open-file item) ;; need ext for both
                 (on-new-builder-panel panel :open-file item)))
           (t
diff --git a/tools/clog-builder-settings.lisp b/tools/clog-builder-settings.lisp
index ad49ca2..8f4d029 100644
--- a/tools/clog-builder-settings.lisp
+++ b/tools/clog-builder-settings.lisp
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 (defparameter *password-protect* nil)
 ;; Open panels and files in new browser tabs by default
 (defparameter *open-external* nil)
+;; Force panels to open in new browser tabs
+(defparameter *open-external-panels-always* nil)
 ;; Use clog-popup and extend desktop to popups
 (defparameter *open-external-using-clog-popups* t)
 ;; Open files in browser popups instead of tabs if browser allows
diff --git a/tools/clog-builder.lisp b/tools/clog-builder.lisp
index 96bf069..a365889 100644
--- a/tools/clog-builder.lisp
+++ b/tools/clog-builder.lisp
@@ -439,7 +439,7 @@ clog-builder window.")
                                                           (on-open-file obj))))
                               (create-gui-menu-item file  :content "New CLOG Panel Editor"                   :on-click
                                                     (lambda (obj)
-                                                      (if *open-external*
+                                                      (if (or *open-external* *open-external-panels-always*)
                                                           (on-new-builder-panel-ext obj)
                                                           (on-new-builder-panel obj))))
                               (create-gui-menu-item file  :content "New CLOG Panel Popup Editor"             :on-click 'on-new-builder-page)
@@ -706,6 +706,7 @@ clog-builder window.")
     (setf *open-external-source-in-popup* nil)
     (setf *open-panels-as-popups* nil)
     (setf *open-external-panels-in-popup* nil)
+    (setf *open-external-panels-always* nil)
     (setf *open-external* nil)
     (handler-case
         (uiop:run-program (list "./clogframe"
diff --git a/tools/preferences.lisp.sample b/tools/preferences.lisp.sample
index 007ef15..fe679e3 100644
--- a/tools/preferences.lisp.sample
+++ b/tools/preferences.lisp.sample
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@
 
 ;; Open panels and files in new browser tabs by default
 (setf *open-external* nil)
+;; Force panels to open in new browser tabs
+(setf *open-external-panels-always* nil)
 ;; Use clog-popup and extend desktop to popups
 (setf *open-external-using-clog-popups* t)