diff --git a/docs/Lua API.rst b/docs/Lua API.rst
index 81c662728..0f949a397 100644
--- a/docs/Lua API.rst	
+++ b/docs/Lua API.rst	
@@ -1270,6 +1270,17 @@ Units module
   Returns the age of the unit in years as a floating-point value.
   If ``true_age`` is true, ignores false identities.
 
+* ``dfhack.units.isValidLabor(unit, unit_labor)``
+
+  Returns whether the indicated labor is settable for the given unit.
+
+* ``dfhack.units.setLaborValidity(unit_labor, isValid)``
+
+  Sets the given labor to the given (boolean) validity for all units that are
+  part of your fortress civilization. Valid labors are allowed to be toggled
+  in the in-game labor management screens (including DFHack's labor manipulator
+  screen).
+
 * ``dfhack.units.getNominalSkill(unit, skill[, use_rust])``
 
   Retrieves the nominal skill level for the given unit. If ``use_rust``
diff --git a/docs/changelog.txt b/docs/changelog.txt
index f7a9b28a1..8dafc52c2 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.txt
+++ b/docs/changelog.txt
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ changelog.txt uses a syntax similar to RST, with a few special sequences:
 # Future
 
 ## Misc Improvements
+- `autohauler`: allow the ``Alchemist`` labor to be enabled in `manipulator` and other labor screens so it can be used for its intended purpose of flagging that no hauling labors should be assigned to a dwarf. Before, the only way to set the flag was to use an external program like Dwarf Therapist.
 - `embark-assistant`: slightly improved performance of surveying
 - `quickfort`: Dreamfort blueprint set improvements: `significant <http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=176889.msg8239017#msg8239017>`_ refinements across the entire blueprint set. Dreamfort is now much faster, much more efficient, and much easier to use. The `checklist <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13PVZ2h3Mm3x_G1OXQvwKd7oIR2lK4A1Ahf6Om1kFigw/edit#gid=1459509569>`__ now includes a mini-walkthrough for quick reference. The spreadsheet now also includes `embark profile suggestions <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13PVZ2h3Mm3x_G1OXQvwKd7oIR2lK4A1Ahf6Om1kFigw/edit#gid=149144025>`__
 - `quickfort`: added aliases for configuring masterwork and artifact core quality for all stockpile categories that have them; made it possible to take from multiple stockpiles in the ``quantumstop`` alias
diff --git a/library/LuaApi.cpp b/library/LuaApi.cpp
index d7f3b269f..1c115471a 100644
--- a/library/LuaApi.cpp
+++ b/library/LuaApi.cpp
@@ -1600,6 +1600,7 @@ static const LuaWrapper::FunctionReg dfhack_units_module[] = {
     WRAPM(Units, getEffectiveSkill),
     WRAPM(Units, getExperience),
     WRAPM(Units, isValidLabor),
+    WRAPM(Units, setLaborValidity),
     WRAPM(Units, computeMovementSpeed),
     WRAPM(Units, computeSlowdownFactor),
     WRAPM(Units, getProfessionName),
diff --git a/library/include/modules/Units.h b/library/include/modules/Units.h
index e2d34254d..4a8452203 100644
--- a/library/include/modules/Units.h
+++ b/library/include/modules/Units.h
@@ -163,6 +163,7 @@ DFHACK_EXPORT int getEffectiveSkill(df::unit *unit, df::job_skill skill_id);
 DFHACK_EXPORT int getExperience(df::unit *unit, df::job_skill skill_id, bool total = false);
 
 DFHACK_EXPORT bool isValidLabor(df::unit *unit, df::unit_labor labor);
+DFHACK_EXPORT bool setLaborValidity(df::unit_labor labor, bool isValid);
 
 DFHACK_EXPORT int computeMovementSpeed(df::unit *unit);
 DFHACK_EXPORT float computeSlowdownFactor(df::unit *unit);
diff --git a/library/modules/Units.cpp b/library/modules/Units.cpp
index a8f96b29f..7edf90817 100644
--- a/library/modules/Units.cpp
+++ b/library/modules/Units.cpp
@@ -893,6 +893,19 @@ bool Units::isValidLabor(df::unit *unit, df::unit_labor labor)
     return true;
 }
 
+bool Units::setLaborValidity(df::unit_labor labor, bool isValid)
+{
+    if (!is_valid_enum_item(labor))
+        return false;
+    if (labor == df::unit_labor::NONE)
+        return false;
+    df::historical_entity *entity = df::historical_entity::find(ui->civ_id);
+    if (!entity || !entity->entity_raw)
+        return false;
+    entity->entity_raw->jobs.permitted_labor[labor] = isValid;
+    return true;
+}
+
 inline void adjust_speed_rating(int &rating, bool is_adventure, int value, int dwarf100, int dwarf200, int adv50, int adv75, int adv100, int adv200)
 {
     if  (is_adventure)
diff --git a/plugins/autohauler.cpp b/plugins/autohauler.cpp
index 40d7452c7..7dd574f5f 100644
--- a/plugins/autohauler.cpp
+++ b/plugins/autohauler.cpp
@@ -565,10 +565,20 @@ static void cleanup_state()
     labor_infos.clear();
 }
 
+static void enable_alchemist(color_ostream &out)
+{
+    if (!Units::setLaborValidity(unit_labor::ALCHEMIST, true))
+    {
+        // informational only; this is a non-fatal error
+        out.printerr("manipulator: Could not flag Alchemist as a valid skill; Alchemist will not"
+                     " be settable from DF or DFHack labor management screens.\n");
+    }
+}
+
 /**
  * Initialize the plugin labor lists
  */
-static void init_state()
+static void init_state(color_ostream &out)
 {
     // This obtains the persistent data from the world save file
     config = World::GetPersistentData("autohauler/config");
@@ -656,6 +666,9 @@ static void init_state()
         reset_labor((df::unit_labor) i);
     }
 
+    // Allow Alchemist to be set in the labor-related UI screens so the player
+    // can actually use it as a flag without having to run Dwarf Therapist
+    enable_alchemist(out);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -681,7 +694,7 @@ static void enable_plugin(color_ostream &out)
     cleanup_state();
 
     // Initialize the plugin
-    init_state();
+    init_state(out);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -740,7 +753,7 @@ DFhackCExport command_result plugin_init ( color_ostream &out, std::vector <Plug
     ));
 
     // Initialize plugin labor lists
-    init_state();
+    init_state(out);
 
     return CR_OK;
 }
@@ -763,7 +776,7 @@ DFhackCExport command_result plugin_onstatechange(color_ostream &out, state_chan
     switch (event) {
     case SC_MAP_LOADED:
         cleanup_state();
-        init_state();
+        init_state(out);
         break;
     case SC_MAP_UNLOADED:
         cleanup_state();