diff --git a/data/formats.js b/data/formats.js
index 09d05e298f..e1a1fabc39 100644
--- a/data/formats.js
+++ b/data/formats.js
@@ -146,6 +146,7 @@ exports.BattleFormats = {
 		name: "Debug Mode",
 		challengeShow: true,
 		canUseRandomTeam: true,
+		debug: true,
 		// no restrictions, for serious
 		ruleset: []
 	},
@@ -163,6 +164,7 @@ exports.BattleFormats = {
 		name: "Debug Mode (Gen 4)",
 		challengeShow: true,
 		canUseRandomTeam: true,
+		debug: true,
 		// no restrictions, for serious
 		ruleset: []
 	},
diff --git a/simulator.js b/simulator.js
index 1c4d228de0..d079197d93 100644
--- a/simulator.js
+++ b/simulator.js
@@ -2514,7 +2514,9 @@ function Battle(roomid, format, rated) {
 		selfB.log.push('| '+Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments).join(' | '));
 	};
 	this.debug = function(activity) {
-		selfB.add('debug', activity);
+		if (selfB.getFormat(selfB.format).debug) {
+			selfB.add('debug', activity);
+		}
 	};
 	this.join = function(user, slot) {
 		if (selfB.p1 && selfB.p1.user && selfB.p2 && selfB.p2.user) return false;