diff --git a/app/models/post_action.rb b/app/models/post_action.rb
index e90767a087c..39d36c22422 100644
--- a/app/models/post_action.rb
+++ b/app/models/post_action.rb
@@ -497,8 +497,18 @@ SQL
     return if flags.sum { |f| f[1] } < SiteSetting.num_flags_to_close_topic
 
     # the threshold has been reached, we will close the topic waiting for intervention
-    message = I18n.t("temporarily_closed_due_to_flags")
-    topic.update_status("closed", true, Discourse.system_user, message: message)
+    topic.update_status("closed", true, Discourse.system_user,
+      message: I18n.t(
+        "temporarily_closed_due_to_flags",
+        count: SiteSetting.num_hours_to_close_topic
+      )
+    )
+
+    topic.set_or_create_status_update(
+      TopicStatusUpdate.types[:open],
+      SiteSetting.num_hours_to_close_topic,
+      by_user: Discourse.system_user
+    )
   end
 
   def self.auto_hide_if_needed(acting_user, post, post_action_type)
diff --git a/config/locales/server.en.yml b/config/locales/server.en.yml
index 12ee021f749..9108c348879 100644
--- a/config/locales/server.en.yml
+++ b/config/locales/server.en.yml
@@ -1286,6 +1286,7 @@ en:
 
     num_flaggers_to_close_topic: "Minimum number of unique flaggers that is required to automatically pause a topic for intervention"
     num_flags_to_close_topic: "Minimum number of active flags that is required to automatically pause a topic for intervention"
+    num_hours_to_close_topic: "Number of hours to pause a topic for intervention."
 
     auto_respond_to_flag_actions: "Enable automatic reply when disposing a flag."
     min_first_post_typing_time: "Minimum amount of time in milliseconds a user must type during first post, if threshold is not met post will automatically enter the needs approval queue. Set to 0 to disable (not recommended)"
@@ -1912,7 +1913,9 @@ en:
     deferred: "Thanks for letting us know. We're looking into it."
     deferred_and_deleted: "Thanks for letting us know. We've removed the post."
 
-  temporarily_closed_due_to_flags: "This topic is temporarily closed due to a large number of community flags."
+  temporarily_closed_due_to_flags:
+    one: "This topic is temporarily closed for 1 hour due to a large number of community flags."
+    other: "This topic is temporarily closed for %{count} hours due to a large number of community flags."
 
   system_messages:
     post_hidden:
diff --git a/config/site_settings.yml b/config/site_settings.yml
index 7302d23e905..eb36c891b42 100644
--- a/config/site_settings.yml
+++ b/config/site_settings.yml
@@ -944,6 +944,9 @@ spam:
   max_age_unmatched_ips: 365
   num_flaggers_to_close_topic: 5
   num_flags_to_close_topic: 12
+  num_hours_to_close_topic:
+    default: 4
+    min: 1
   auto_respond_to_flag_actions: true
   min_first_post_typing_time: 3000
   auto_block_fast_typers_on_first_post: true
diff --git a/spec/models/post_action_spec.rb b/spec/models/post_action_spec.rb
index aa7daba215e..9ed0e704991 100644
--- a/spec/models/post_action_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/post_action_spec.rb
@@ -447,11 +447,11 @@ describe PostAction do
       expect(post.hidden).to eq(false)
     end
 
-    it "will automatically close a topic due to large community flagging" do
-      SiteSetting.stubs(:flags_required_to_hide_post).returns(0)
-
-      SiteSetting.stubs(:num_flags_to_close_topic).returns(3)
-      SiteSetting.stubs(:num_flaggers_to_close_topic).returns(2)
+    it "will automatically pause a topic due to large community flagging" do
+      SiteSetting.flags_required_to_hide_post = 0
+      SiteSetting.num_flags_to_close_topic = 3
+      SiteSetting.num_flaggers_to_close_topic = 2
+      SiteSetting.num_hours_to_close_topic = 1
 
       topic = Fabricate(:topic)
       post1 = create_post(topic: topic)
@@ -490,6 +490,11 @@ describe PostAction do
 
       expect(topic.reload.closed).to eq(true)
 
+      topic_status_update = TopicStatusUpdate.last
+
+      expect(topic_status_update.topic).to eq(topic)
+      expect(topic_status_update.execute_at).to be_within(1.second).of(1.hour.from_now)
+      expect(topic_status_update.status_type).to eq(TopicStatusUpdate.types[:open])
     end
 
   end