diff --git a/backup.sh b/backup.sh
index 77a9ddb..8949354 100755
--- a/backup.sh
+++ b/backup.sh
@@ -36,7 +36,9 @@ SNAPSHOT_DATASETS=""
 
 debug()
 {
-    if [ $BG_DEBUG_MODE = "TRUE" ]; then
+    if [ -z $BG_DEBUG_MODE || $BG_DEBUG_MODE != "TRUE" ]; then
+        :
+    else
         echo $@
     fi
 }