diff --git a/r2/r2/public/static/js/base.js b/r2/r2/public/static/js/base.js
index 9c45a2875..8b60ad142 100644
--- a/r2/r2/public/static/js/base.js
+++ b/r2/r2/public/static/js/base.js
@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ r.setup = function(config) {
     reddit = config
 
     _.each(['debug', 'warn', 'error'], function(name) {
-        r[name] = config.debug && window.console && console[name]
+        // suppress debug messages unless config.debug is set
+        r[name] = (name != 'debug' || config.debug)
+                && window.console && console[name]
                 ? _.bind(console[name], console)
                 : function() {}
     })