diff --git a/kitty/child.py b/kitty/child.py
index 647662527..8b9cb6882 100644
--- a/kitty/child.py
+++ b/kitty/child.py
@@ -224,8 +224,10 @@ class Child:
         env: Optional[Dict[str, str]] = None,
         cwd_from: Optional['CwdRequest'] = None,
         is_clone_launch: str = '',
+        add_listen_on_env_var: bool = True,
     ):
         self.is_clone_launch = is_clone_launch
+        self.add_listen_on_env_var = add_listen_on_env_var
         self.argv = list(argv)
         if cwd_from:
             try:
@@ -250,7 +252,7 @@ class Child:
         env['COLORTERM'] = 'truecolor'
         env['KITTY_PID'] = getpid()
         env['KITTY_PUBLIC_KEY'] = boss.encryption_public_key
-        if boss.listening_on:
+        if self.add_listen_on_env_var and boss.listening_on:
             env['KITTY_LISTEN_ON'] = boss.listening_on
         else:
             env.pop('KITTY_LISTEN_ON', None)
diff --git a/kitty/tabs.py b/kitty/tabs.py
index 3fa4b8537..eb10ddb98 100644
--- a/kitty/tabs.py
+++ b/kitty/tabs.py
@@ -367,6 +367,7 @@ class Tab:  # {{{
         cwd: Optional[str] = None,
         env: Optional[Dict[str, str]] = None,
         is_clone_launch: str = '',
+        add_listen_on_env_var: bool = True,
     ) -> Child:
         check_for_suitability = True
         if cmd is None:
@@ -415,7 +416,7 @@ class Tab:  # {{{
         pwid = platform_window_id(self.os_window_id)
         if pwid is not None:
             fenv['WINDOWID'] = str(pwid)
-        ans = Child(cmd, cwd or self.cwd, stdin, fenv, cwd_from, is_clone_launch=is_clone_launch)
+        ans = Child(cmd, cwd or self.cwd, stdin, fenv, cwd_from, is_clone_launch=is_clone_launch, add_listen_on_env_var=add_listen_on_env_var)
         ans.fork()
         return ans
 
@@ -445,7 +446,7 @@ class Tab:  # {{{
     ) -> Window:
         child = self.launch_child(
             use_shell=use_shell, cmd=cmd, stdin=stdin, cwd_from=cwd_from, cwd=cwd, env=env,
-            is_clone_launch=is_clone_launch
+            is_clone_launch=is_clone_launch, add_listen_on_env_var=not allow_remote_control
         )
         window = Window(
             self, child, self.args, override_title=override_title,