diff --git a/fork-version/_normalize.scss b/fork-version/_normalize.scss
index 9ca6020d9..dc60afd42 100644
--- a/fork-version/_normalize.scss
+++ b/fork-version/_normalize.scss
@@ -5,14 +5,16 @@
 @import 'vertical-rhythm';
 
 // If we've customized any font variables, we'll need extra properties.
-@if $base-line-height != 24px
-  or $base-unit != 'em'
-  or $h2-font-size != 1.5  * $base-font-size
-  or $h3-font-size != 1.17 * $base-font-size
-  or $h4-font-size != 1    * $base-font-size
-  or $h5-font-size != 0.83 * $base-font-size
-  or $h6-font-size != 0.67 * $base-font-size
-  or $indent-amount != 40px {
+@if $normalize-vertical-rhythm == null
+  and (
+    $base-line-height != 24px
+    or $base-unit != 'em'
+    or $h2-font-size != 1.5  * $base-font-size
+    or $h3-font-size != 1.17 * $base-font-size
+    or $h4-font-size != 1    * $base-font-size
+    or $h5-font-size != 0.83 * $base-font-size
+    or $h6-font-size != 0.67 * $base-font-size
+  ) {
   $normalize-vertical-rhythm: true !global;
 }
 
diff --git a/fork-version/_variables.scss b/fork-version/_variables.scss
index f5bd845ef..2819d1005 100644
--- a/fork-version/_variables.scss
+++ b/fork-version/_variables.scss
@@ -32,5 +32,6 @@ $indent-amount: 40px !default;
 // font-sizes, line-heights and block-level top/bottom margins that form a basic
 // vertical rhythm on the page, which differs from the original Normalize.css.
 // However, changing any of the variables above will cause
-// $normalize-vertical-rhythm to be automatically set to true.
-$normalize-vertical-rhythm: false !default;
+// $normalize-vertical-rhythm to be automatically set to true. To prevent
+// outputting any vertical rhythm rules, set this variable to false.
+$normalize-vertical-rhythm: null !default;
diff --git a/sass/normalize/_normalize-mixin.scss b/sass/normalize/_normalize-mixin.scss
index b3461957c..eebfdf0c4 100644
--- a/sass/normalize/_normalize-mixin.scss
+++ b/sass/normalize/_normalize-mixin.scss
@@ -34,13 +34,16 @@
   $init: _normalize-include($include, $exclude);
 
   // If we've customized any font variables, we'll need extra properties.
-  @if $base-line-height != 24px
-    or $base-unit != 'em'
-    or $h2-font-size != 1.5  * $base-font-size
-    or $h3-font-size != 1.17 * $base-font-size
-    or $h4-font-size != 1    * $base-font-size
-    or $h5-font-size != 0.83 * $base-font-size
-    or $h6-font-size != 0.67 * $base-font-size {
+  @if $normalize-vertical-rhythm == null
+    and (
+      $base-line-height != 24px
+      or $base-unit != 'em'
+      or $h2-font-size != 1.5  * $base-font-size
+      or $h3-font-size != 1.17 * $base-font-size
+      or $h4-font-size != 1    * $base-font-size
+      or $h5-font-size != 0.83 * $base-font-size
+      or $h6-font-size != 0.67 * $base-font-size
+    ) {
     $normalize-vertical-rhythm: true !global;
   }
 
diff --git a/sass/normalize/_variables.scss b/sass/normalize/_variables.scss
index 10d05ed76..db6b5c4a2 100644
--- a/sass/normalize/_variables.scss
+++ b/sass/normalize/_variables.scss
@@ -32,5 +32,6 @@ $indent-amount: 40px !default;
 // font-sizes, line-heights and block-level top/bottom margins that form a basic
 // vertical rhythm on the page, which differs from the original Normalize.css.
 // However, changing any of the variables above will cause
-// $normalize-vertical-rhythm to be automatically set to true.
-$normalize-vertical-rhythm: false !default;
+// $normalize-vertical-rhythm to be automatically set to true. To prevent
+// outputting any vertical rhythm rules, set this variable to false.
+$normalize-vertical-rhythm: null !default;
diff --git a/test/fixtures/variables/prevent-vertical-rhythm/input.scss b/test/fixtures/variables/prevent-vertical-rhythm/input.scss
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9f65a88b3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/fixtures/variables/prevent-vertical-rhythm/input.scss
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+// This variable only affects output when vertical rhythm is used.
+$h2-font-size: 48px;
+// Force vertical rhythm off.
+$normalize-vertical-rhythm: false;
+
+@import 'normalize';
+@include normalize();
diff --git a/test/fixtures/variables/prevent-vertical-rhythm/output.css b/test/fixtures/variables/prevent-vertical-rhythm/output.css
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a74b6d227
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/fixtures/variables/prevent-vertical-rhythm/output.css
@@ -0,0 +1,415 @@
+/*! normalize-scss | MIT/GPLv2 License | bit.ly/normalize-scss */
+/* Document
+   ========================================================================== */
+/**
+ * 1. Correct the line height in all browsers.
+ * 2. Prevent adjustments of font size after orientation changes in
+ *    IE on Windows Phone and in iOS.
+ */
+html {
+  line-height: 1.15; /* 1 */
+  -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; /* 2 */
+  -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; /* 2 */
+}
+
+/* Sections
+   ========================================================================== */
+/**
+ * Remove the margin in all browsers (opinionated).
+ */
+body {
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Add the correct display in IE 9-.
+ */
+article,
+aside,
+footer,
+header,
+nav,
+section {
+  display: block;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Correct the font size and margin on `h1` elements within `section` and
+ * `article` contexts in Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
+ */
+h1 {
+  font-size: 2em;
+  margin: 0.67em 0;
+}
+
+/* Grouping content
+   ========================================================================== */
+/**
+ * Add the correct display in IE 9-.
+ */
+figcaption,
+figure {
+  display: block;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Add the correct margin in IE 8.
+ */
+figure {
+  margin: 1em 40px;
+}
+
+/**
+ * 1. Add the correct box sizing in Firefox.
+ * 2. Show the overflow in Edge and IE.
+ */
+hr {
+  box-sizing: content-box; /* 1 */
+  height: 0; /* 1 */
+  overflow: visible; /* 2 */
+}
+
+/**
+ * Add the correct display in IE.
+ */
+main {
+  display: block;
+}
+
+/**
+ * 1. Correct the inheritance and scaling of font size in all browsers.
+ * 2. Correct the odd `em` font sizing in all browsers.
+ */
+pre {
+  font-family: monospace, monospace; /* 1 */
+  font-size: 1em; /* 2 */
+}
+
+/* Links
+   ========================================================================== */
+/**
+ * 1. Remove the gray background on active links in IE 10.
+ * 2. Remove gaps in links underline in iOS 8+ and Safari 8+.
+ */
+a {
+  background-color: transparent; /* 1 */
+  -webkit-text-decoration-skip: objects; /* 2 */
+}
+
+/* Text-level semantics
+   ========================================================================== */
+/**
+ * 1. Remove the bottom border in Chrome 57- and Firefox 39-.
+ * 2. Add the correct text decoration in Chrome, Edge, IE, Opera, and Safari.
+ */
+abbr[title] {
+  border-bottom: none; /* 1 */
+  text-decoration: underline; /* 2 */
+  text-decoration: underline dotted; /* 2 */
+}
+
+/**
+ * Prevent the duplicate application of `bolder` by the next rule in Safari 6.
+ */
+b,
+strong {
+  font-weight: inherit;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Add the correct font weight in Chrome, Edge, and Safari.
+ */
+b,
+strong {
+  font-weight: bolder;
+}
+
+/**
+ * 1. Correct the inheritance and scaling of font size in all browsers.
+ * 2. Correct the odd `em` font sizing in all browsers.
+ */
+code,
+kbd,
+samp {
+  font-family: monospace, monospace; /* 1 */
+  font-size: 1em; /* 2 */
+}
+
+/**
+ * Add the correct font style in Android 4.3-.
+ */
+dfn {
+  font-style: italic;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Add the correct background and color in IE 9-.
+ */
+mark {
+  background-color: #ff0;
+  color: #000;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Add the correct font size in all browsers.
+ */
+small {
+  font-size: 80%;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Prevent `sub` and `sup` elements from affecting the line height in
+ * all browsers.
+ */
+sub,
+sup {
+  font-size: 75%;
+  line-height: 0;
+  position: relative;
+  vertical-align: baseline;
+}
+
+sub {
+  bottom: -0.25em;
+}
+
+sup {
+  top: -0.5em;
+}
+
+/* Embedded content
+   ========================================================================== */
+/**
+ * Add the correct display in IE 9-.
+ */
+audio,
+video {
+  display: inline-block;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Add the correct display in iOS 4-7.
+ */
+audio:not([controls]) {
+  display: none;
+  height: 0;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Remove the border on images inside links in IE 10-.
+ */
+img {
+  border-style: none;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Hide the overflow in IE.
+ */
+svg:not(:root) {
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+/* Forms
+   ========================================================================== */
+/**
+ * 1. Change the font styles in all browsers (opinionated).
+ * 2. Remove the margin in Firefox and Safari.
+ */
+button,
+input,
+optgroup,
+select,
+textarea {
+  font-family: sans-serif; /* 1 */
+  font-size: 100%; /* 1 */
+  line-height: 1.15; /* 1 */
+  margin: 0; /* 2 */
+}
+
+/**
+ * Show the overflow in IE.
+ */
+button {
+  overflow: visible;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Remove the inheritance of text transform in Edge, Firefox, and IE.
+ * 1. Remove the inheritance of text transform in Firefox.
+ */
+button,
+select { /* 1 */
+  text-transform: none;
+}
+
+/**
+ * 1. Prevent a WebKit bug where (2) destroys native `audio` and `video`
+ *    controls in Android 4.
+ * 2. Correct the inability to style clickable types in iOS and Safari.
+ */
+button,
+html [type=button],
+[type=reset],
+[type=submit] {
+  -webkit-appearance: button; /* 2 */
+}
+
+button,
+[type=button],
+[type=reset],
+[type=submit] {
+  /**
+   * Remove the inner border and padding in Firefox.
+   */
+  /**
+   * Restore the focus styles unset by the previous rule.
+   */
+}
+button::-moz-focus-inner,
+[type=button]::-moz-focus-inner,
+[type=reset]::-moz-focus-inner,
+[type=submit]::-moz-focus-inner {
+  border-style: none;
+  padding: 0;
+}
+button:-moz-focusring,
+[type=button]:-moz-focusring,
+[type=reset]:-moz-focusring,
+[type=submit]:-moz-focusring {
+  outline: 1px dotted ButtonText;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Show the overflow in Edge.
+ */
+input {
+  overflow: visible;
+}
+
+/**
+ * 1. Add the correct box sizing in IE 10-.
+ * 2. Remove the padding in IE 10-.
+ */
+[type=checkbox],
+[type=radio] {
+  box-sizing: border-box; /* 1 */
+  padding: 0; /* 2 */
+}
+
+/**
+ * Correct the cursor style of increment and decrement buttons in Chrome.
+ */
+[type=number]::-webkit-inner-spin-button,
+[type=number]::-webkit-outer-spin-button {
+  height: auto;
+}
+
+/**
+ * 1. Correct the odd appearance in Chrome and Safari.
+ * 2. Correct the outline style in Safari.
+ */
+[type=search] {
+  -webkit-appearance: textfield; /* 1 */
+  outline-offset: -2px; /* 2 */
+  /**
+   * Remove the inner padding and cancel buttons in Chrome and Safari on macOS.
+   */
+}
+[type=search]::-webkit-search-cancel-button, [type=search]::-webkit-search-decoration {
+  -webkit-appearance: none;
+}
+
+/**
+ * 1. Correct the inability to style clickable types in iOS and Safari.
+ * 2. Change font properties to `inherit` in Safari.
+ */
+::-webkit-file-upload-button {
+  -webkit-appearance: button; /* 1 */
+  font: inherit; /* 2 */
+}
+
+/**
+ * Correct the padding in Firefox.
+ */
+fieldset {
+  padding: 0.35em 0.75em 0.625em;
+}
+
+/**
+ * 1. Correct the text wrapping in Edge and IE.
+ * 2. Correct the color inheritance from `fieldset` elements in IE.
+ * 3. Remove the padding so developers are not caught out when they zero out
+ *    `fieldset` elements in all browsers.
+ */
+legend {
+  box-sizing: border-box; /* 1 */
+  display: table; /* 1 */
+  max-width: 100%; /* 1 */
+  padding: 0; /* 3 */
+  color: inherit; /* 2 */
+  white-space: normal; /* 1 */
+}
+
+/**
+ * 1. Add the correct display in IE 9-.
+ * 2. Add the correct vertical alignment in Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
+ */
+progress {
+  display: inline-block; /* 1 */
+  vertical-align: baseline; /* 2 */
+}
+
+/**
+ * Remove the default vertical scrollbar in IE.
+ */
+textarea {
+  overflow: auto;
+}
+
+/* Interactive
+   ========================================================================== */
+/*
+ * Add the correct display in Edge, IE, and Firefox.
+ */
+details {
+  display: block;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Add the correct display in all browsers.
+ */
+summary {
+  display: list-item;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Add the correct display in IE 9-.
+ */
+menu {
+  display: block;
+}
+
+/* Scripting
+   ========================================================================== */
+/**
+ * Add the correct display in IE 9-.
+ */
+canvas {
+  display: inline-block;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Add the correct display in IE.
+ */
+template {
+  display: none;
+}
+
+/* Hidden
+   ========================================================================== */
+/**
+ * Add the correct display in IE 10-.
+ */
+[hidden] {
+  display: none;
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/test_variables.js b/test/test_variables.js
index 49867a044..b304e260c 100644
--- a/test/test_variables.js
+++ b/test/test_variables.js
@@ -20,6 +20,12 @@ describe('Configuration variables', function() {
     });
   });
 
+  describe('$normalize-vertical-rhythm: false', function() {
+    it('should not output vertical rhythm rulesets', function() {
+      return sassyTest.compileFixture('variables/prevent-vertical-rhythm');
+    });
+  });
+
   describe('$base-* and $h*-font-size', function() {
     it('should alter the font, font size, and line-height', function() {
       return sassyTest.compileFixture('variables/font');