diff --git a/lib/logstash/plugin_mixins/http_client.rb b/lib/logstash/plugin_mixins/http_client.rb
index 1bcde98..f194bd6 100644
--- a/lib/logstash/plugin_mixins/http_client.rb
+++ b/lib/logstash/plugin_mixins/http_client.rb
@@ -98,6 +98,12 @@ def setup_http_client_config
 
     # Password to use for HTTP auth
     config :password, :validate => :password
+
+    # Whether to instruct Manticore to present basic auth credentials on initial
+    # request, rather than being challenged for them. You should only use this
+    # if you have a specific need for it, as it may be a security concern otherwise.
+    # Currently defaults to true for backwards compatibility.
+    config :eager, :validate => :boolean, :default => true
   end
 
   public
@@ -132,7 +138,7 @@ def client_config
       c[:auth] = {
         :user => @user,
         :password => @password.value,
-        :eager => true
+        :eager => @eager
       }
     end