diff --git a/Include/object.h b/Include/object.h
index a66629c8ee2..081bb8624cb 100644
--- a/Include/object.h
+++ b/Include/object.h
@@ -22,7 +22,10 @@ OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
 
 ******************************************************************/
 
+#ifndef DEBUG
 #define NDEBUG
+#endif
+
 /* Object and type object interface */
 
 /*