diff --git a/etc/emqx.conf b/etc/emqx.conf
index a211d91d9..9415834ef 100644
--- a/etc/emqx.conf
+++ b/etc/emqx.conf
@@ -554,6 +554,11 @@ mqtt.ignore_loop_deliver = false
 ## Value: duration
 zone.external.idle_timeout = 15s
 
+## Hibernate after a duration of idle state.
+##
+## Value: duration
+zone.external.hibernate_after = 60s
+
 ## Publish limit for the external MQTT connections.
 ##
 ## Value: Number,Duration
diff --git a/priv/emqx.schema b/priv/emqx.schema
index 5e408ef38..abe646a10 100644
--- a/priv/emqx.schema
+++ b/priv/emqx.schema
@@ -725,6 +725,12 @@ end}.
   {datatype, {duration, ms}}
 ]}.
 
+%% @doc Hibernate after a duration of idle state.
+{mapping, "zone.$name.hibernate_after", "emqx.zones", [
+  {default, "60s"},
+  {datatype, {duration, ms}}
+]}.
+
 {mapping, "zone.$name.allow_anonymous", "emqx.zones", [
   {datatype, {enum, [true, false]}}
 ]}.