diff --git a/ui/component/markdownLink/view.jsx b/ui/component/markdownLink/view.jsx
index 5b4d205f6..d9a6c0b66 100644
--- a/ui/component/markdownLink/view.jsx
+++ b/ui/component/markdownLink/view.jsx
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ function MarkdownLink(props: Props) {
   // Return plain text if no valid url
   // Return external link if protocol is http or https
   // Return local link if protocol is lbry uri
-  if ((protocol && protocol[0] === 'lbry:' && isURIValid(decodedUri)) || lbryUrlFromLink) {
+  if (!simpleLinks && ((protocol && protocol[0] === 'lbry:' && isURIValid(decodedUri)) || lbryUrlFromLink)) {
     element = (
       <ClaimLink
         uri={lbryUrlFromLink || decodedUri}