diff --git a/budget/default_settings.py b/budget/default_settings.py
index 5ee6de80..210b3f20 100644
--- a/budget/default_settings.py
+++ b/budget/default_settings.py
@@ -8,3 +8,5 @@ SQLALCHEMY_TRACK_MODIFICATIONS = False
 SECRET_KEY = "tralala"
 
 MAIL_DEFAULT_SENDER = ("Budget manager", "budget@notmyidea.org")
+
+ACTIVATE_DEMO_PROJECT = True
diff --git a/budget/templates/home.html b/budget/templates/home.html
index 399343a5..edbee61a 100644
--- a/budget/templates/home.html
+++ b/budget/templates/home.html
@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@
     <header id="header" class="row">
       <div class="col-5  offset-md-2">
             <h2>{{ _("Manage your shared <br>expenses, easily") }}</h2>
+            {% if is_demo_project_activated %}
             <a href="{{ url_for(".demo") }}" class="tryout btn">{{ _("Try out the demo")  }}</a>
+            {% endif %}
         </div>
         <div class="col-4">
             <p class="additional-content">{{ _("You're sharing a house?") }}<br /> {{ _("Going on holidays with friends?") }}<br /> {{ _("Simply sharing money with others?") }} <br /><strong>{{ _("We can help!") }}</strong></p>
diff --git a/budget/tests/tests.py b/budget/tests/tests.py
index d979a299..e18e9c32 100644
--- a/budget/tests/tests.py
+++ b/budget/tests/tests.py
@@ -331,6 +331,13 @@ class BudgetTestCase(TestCase):
         self.app.get("/demo")
         self.assertTrue(models.Project.query.get("demo") is not None)
 
+    def test_deactivated_demo(self):
+        run.app.config['ACTIVATE_DEMO_PROJECT'] = False
+
+        # test redirection to the create project form when demo is deactivated
+        resp = self.app.get("/demo")
+        self.assertIn('<a href="/create?project_id=demo">', resp.data.decode('utf-8'))
+
     def test_authentication(self):
         # try to authenticate without credentials should redirect
         # to the authentication page
diff --git a/budget/web.py b/budget/web.py
index 18867c5e..efb427cb 100644
--- a/budget/web.py
+++ b/budget/web.py
@@ -121,8 +121,11 @@ def authenticate(project_id=None):
 def home():
     project_form = ProjectForm()
     auth_form = AuthenticationForm()
+    is_demo_project_activated = current_app.config['ACTIVATE_DEMO_PROJECT']
+
     return render_template("home.html", project_form=project_form,
-            auth_form=auth_form, session=session)
+                           is_demo_project_activated=is_demo_project_activated,
+                           auth_form=auth_form, session=session)
 
 
 @main.route("/create", methods=["GET", "POST"])
@@ -258,9 +261,15 @@ def demo():
     the bills list for this project.
 
     Create a demo project if it doesnt exists yet (or has been deleted)
+    If the demo project is deactivated, one is redirected to the create project form
     """
+    is_demo_project_activated = current_app.config['ACTIVATE_DEMO_PROJECT']
     project = Project.query.get("demo")
-    if not project:
+
+    if not project and not is_demo_project_activated:
+        raise Redirect303(url_for(".create_project",
+                                  project_id='demo'))
+    if not project and is_demo_project_activated:
         project = Project(id="demo", name=u"demonstration", password="demo",
                 contact_email="demo@notmyidea.org")
         db.session.add(project)