diff --git a/backend/open_webui/config.py b/backend/open_webui/config.py
index 1b842940d9..43f0b01993 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/config.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/config.py
@@ -1806,6 +1806,9 @@ USER_PERMISSIONS_CALENDAR_ALLOW_PUBLIC_SHARING = (
 USER_PERMISSIONS_ACCESS_GRANTS_ALLOW_USERS = (
     os.getenv('USER_PERMISSIONS_ACCESS_GRANTS_ALLOW_USERS', 'True').lower() == 'true'
 )
+USER_PERMISSIONS_ACCESS_GRANTS_ALLOW_GROUPS = (
+    os.getenv('USER_PERMISSIONS_ACCESS_GRANTS_ALLOW_GROUPS', 'True').lower() == 'true'
+)
 
 
 USER_PERMISSIONS_CHAT_CONTROLS = os.getenv('USER_PERMISSIONS_CHAT_CONTROLS', 'True').lower() == 'true'
@@ -1930,6 +1933,7 @@ DEFAULT_USER_PERMISSIONS = {
     },
     'access_grants': {
         'allow_users': USER_PERMISSIONS_ACCESS_GRANTS_ALLOW_USERS,
+        'allow_groups': USER_PERMISSIONS_ACCESS_GRANTS_ALLOW_GROUPS,
     },
     'chat': {
         'controls': USER_PERMISSIONS_CHAT_CONTROLS,
diff --git a/backend/open_webui/utils/access_control/__init__.py b/backend/open_webui/utils/access_control/__init__.py
index a98f95f97e..b8d672cf99 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/utils/access_control/__init__.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/utils/access_control/__init__.py
@@ -253,6 +253,23 @@ async def filter_allowed_access_grants(
     ):
         access_grants = strip_user_access_grants(access_grants)
 
+    if any(
+        (grant.get('principal_type') if isinstance(grant, dict) else getattr(grant, 'principal_type', None))
+        == 'group'
+        for grant in access_grants
+    ) and not await has_permission(
+        user_id,
+        'access_grants.allow_groups',
+        default_permissions,
+        db=db,
+    ):
+        access_grants = [
+            grant
+            for grant in access_grants
+            if (grant.get('principal_type') if isinstance(grant, dict) else getattr(grant, 'principal_type', None))
+            != 'group'
+        ]
+
     return access_grants