diff --git a/bundles/backup-client/files/generate-backup b/bundles/backup-client/files/generate-backup
index 28ef49d..3fd9d7d 100644
--- a/bundles/backup-client/files/generate-backup
+++ b/bundles/backup-client/files/generate-backup
@@ -62,10 +62,13 @@ trap "on_exit" EXIT
 
 # redirect stdout and stderr to logfile
 prepare_and_cleanup_logdir
-logfile="$logdir/backup--$(date '+%F--%H-%M-%S')--$$.log.gz"
-echo "All log output will go to $logfile" | logger -it backup-client
-exec > >(gzip >"$logfile")
-exec 2>&1
+if [[ -z "$DEBUG" ]]
+then
+    logfile="$logdir/backup--$(date '+%F--%H-%M-%S')--$$.log.gz"
+    echo "All log output will go to $logfile" | logger -it backup-client
+    exec > >(gzip >"$logfile")
+    exec 2>&1
+fi
 
 # this is where the real work starts
 ts_begin=$(date +%s)