diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/commands.py b/qutebrowser/browser/commands.py
index 9f836d36a..bc3931a65 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/commands.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/commands.py
@@ -986,9 +986,15 @@ class CommandDispatcher:
         self._open(url, tab, bg, window)
 
     @cmdutils.register(instance='command-dispatcher', name='select-follow', scope='window')
-    def select_follow(self):
-        """Follow the selected text."""
+    def select_follow(self, tab=False):
+        """Follow the selected text.
+
+        Args:
+            tab: Load the selected link in a new tab.
+        """
         widget = self._current_widget()
+        if tab:
+            widget.page().open_target = usertypes.ClickTarget.tab
         widget.page().currentFrame().evaluateJavaScript('window.getSelection().anchorNode.parentNode.click()')
 
     @cmdutils.register(instance='command-dispatcher', name='inspector',
diff --git a/qutebrowser/config/configdata.py b/qutebrowser/config/configdata.py
index 135e91e81..dec02b069 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/config/configdata.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/config/configdata.py
@@ -1239,7 +1239,8 @@ KEY_DATA = collections.OrderedDict([
         ('stop', ['<Ctrl-s>']),
         ('print', ['<Ctrl-Alt-p>']),
         ('open qute:settings', ['Ss']),
-        ('select-follow', ['<Return>', '<Ctrl-Return>']),
+        ('select-follow', ['<Return>']),
+        ('select-follow -t', ['<Ctrl-Return>']),
     ])),
 
     ('insert', collections.OrderedDict([