diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b07b0262..34dc5f44 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -110,6 +110,7 @@ let g:nvim_tree_highlight_opened_files = 1 "0 by default, will enable folder and
 let g:nvim_tree_root_folder_modifier = ':~' "This is the default. See :help filename-modifiers for more options
 let g:nvim_tree_add_trailing = 1 "0 by default, append a trailing slash to folder names
 let g:nvim_tree_group_empty = 1 " 0 by default, compact folders that only contain a single folder into one node in the file tree
+let g:nvim_tree_change_dir_global = 1 "0 by default, use :cd when changing directories.
 let g:nvim_tree_disable_window_picker = 1 "0 by default, will disable the window picker.
 let g:nvim_tree_icon_padding = ' ' "one space by default, used for rendering the space between the icon and the filename. Use with caution, it could break rendering if you set an empty string depending on your font.
 let g:nvim_tree_symlink_arrow = ' >> ' " defaults to ' ➛ '. used as a separator between symlinks' source and target.
diff --git a/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt b/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
index 721c29c7..5abd9216 100644
--- a/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
+++ b/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ Here is a list of the options available in the setup call:
 *nvim-tree.view*
 - |view|: window / buffer setup
 
-  - |view.hide_root_folder|: hide the path of the current working 
+  - |view.hide_root_folder|: hide the path of the current working
     directory on top of the tree
       type: `boolean`
       default: `false`
@@ -485,6 +485,9 @@ default table is
       ["readme.md"] = true,
    }
 
+|g:nvim_tree_change_dir_global|                  *g:nvim_tree_change_dir_global*
+
+Can be 0 or 1. When 1, use :cd instead of :lcd when changing directories.
 
 |g:nvim_tree_disable_window_picker|          *g:nvim_tree_disable_window_picker*
 
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/lib.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/lib.lua
index 1bde3874..a71d8201 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/lib.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/lib.lua
@@ -274,7 +274,11 @@ function M.change_dir(name)
   end
   current_tab = new_tab
 
-  vim.cmd('lcd '..vim.fn.fnameescape(foldername))
+  if vim.g.nvim_tree_change_dir_global == 1 then
+    vim.cmd('cd '..vim.fn.fnameescape(foldername))
+  else
+    vim.cmd('lcd '..vim.fn.fnameescape(foldername))
+  end
   M.init(false, foldername)
 end