diff --git a/pelican/contents.py b/pelican/contents.py
index 4f424461..d8ccf9f3 100644
--- a/pelican/contents.py
+++ b/pelican/contents.py
@@ -89,9 +89,9 @@ class Page(object):
                 if hasattr(self, 'date') and self.date > datetime.now():
                     self.status = 'draft'
 
-        # set summary
-        if not hasattr(self, 'summary'):
-            self.summary = truncate_html_words(self.content, 50)
+        # store the :summary: metadata if it is set
+        if 'summary' in metadata:
+            self._summary = metadata['summary']
 
     def check_properties(self):
         """test that each mandatory property is set."""
@@ -126,8 +126,12 @@ class Page(object):
         return content
 
     def _get_summary(self):
-        """Returns the summary of an article, based on to the content"""
-        return truncate_html_words(self.content, 50)
+        """Returns the summary of an article, based on the :summary: metadata
+        if it is set, else troncate the content."""
+        if hasattr(self, '_summary'):
+            return self._summary
+        else:
+            return truncate_html_words(self.content, 50)
 
     def _set_summary(self, summary):
         """Dummy function"""