diff --git a/js/initialize-globals.js b/js/initialize-globals.js
index c4a0d87e6..845faa0f9 100644
--- a/js/initialize-globals.js
+++ b/js/initialize-globals.js
@@ -150,6 +150,14 @@
      */
     dev: { type: 'flag' },
 
+
+    /**
+     * sets all modal features of the sim as disabled. This is a development-only parameter that can be useful in
+     * combination with fuzz testing. This was created to limit the amount of time fuzz testing spends on unimportant
+     * features of the sim like the PhET Menu, Keyboard Help, and Preferences popups.
+     */
+    disableModals: { type: 'flag' },
+
     /**
      * enables assertions
      */