diff --git a/beets/config_default.yaml b/beets/config_default.yaml
index 4c12c3df07..fa77a82dc5 100644
--- a/beets/config_default.yaml
+++ b/beets/config_default.yaml
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import:
     group_albums: no
     pretend: false
     search_ids: []
+    duplicate_action: ask
 
 clutter: ["Thumbs.DB", ".DS_Store"]
 ignore: [".*", "*~", "System Volume Information", "lost+found"]
diff --git a/beets/ui/commands.py b/beets/ui/commands.py
index 75cae066c8..2a51af7aad 100644
--- a/beets/ui/commands.py
+++ b/beets/ui/commands.py
@@ -824,11 +824,19 @@ def resolve_duplicate(self, task, found_duplicates):
         log.warn(u"This {0} is already in the library!",
                  (u"album" if task.is_album else u"item"))
 
+        # If set, get the action to follow from config.
+        sel = config['import']['duplicate_action'].as_choice({
+            u'skip': u's',
+            u'keep': u'k',
+            u'remove': u'r',
+            u'ask': None,
+        })
+
         if config['import']['quiet']:
             # In quiet mode, don't prompt -- just skip.
             log.info(u'Skipping.')
             sel = u's'
-        else:
+        elif sel is None:
             # Print some detail about the existing and new items so the
             # user can make an informed decision.
             for duplicate in found_duplicates: