diff --git a/ale_linters/python/flake8.vim b/ale_linters/python/flake8.vim
index 8f33f9ef..ba754fef 100644
--- a/ale_linters/python/flake8.vim
+++ b/ale_linters/python/flake8.vim
@@ -24,6 +24,11 @@ function! ale_linters#python#flake8#Handle(buffer, lines)
         let text = l:match[4]
         let type = code[0] ==# 'E' ? 'E' : 'W'
 
+        if code ==# 'W291' && !g:ale_warn_about_trailing_whitespace
+            " Skip warnings for trailing whitespace if the option is off.
+            continue
+        endif
+
         " vcol is Needed to indicate that the column is a character.
         call add(output, {
         \   'bufnr': a:buffer,
diff --git a/plugin/ale/aaflags.vim b/plugin/ale/aaflags.vim
index 70021a6e..4fc74b4e 100644
--- a/plugin/ale/aaflags.vim
+++ b/plugin/ale/aaflags.vim
@@ -40,3 +40,8 @@ endif
 if !exists('g:ale_echo_cursor')
     let g:ale_echo_cursor = 1
 endif
+
+" This flag can be set to 0 to disable warnings for trailing whitespace
+if !exists('g:ale_warn_about_trailing_whitespace')
+    let g:ale_warn_about_trailing_whitespace = 1
+endif