diff --git a/stepmania/src/PrefsManager.h b/stepmania/src/PrefsManager.h
index bdf78c5f22..e32b5f65a2 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/PrefsManager.h
+++ b/stepmania/src/PrefsManager.h
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ public:
 	bool			m_bFirstRun;
 	bool			m_bAutoMapJoysticks;
 	float			m_fGlobalOffsetSeconds;
+	bool			m_bShowConsole;
 	bool			m_bTenFooterInRed;
 
 	/* 0 = no; 1 = yes; -1 = auto (do whatever is appropriate for the arch). */
diff --git a/stepmania/src/StepMania.cpp b/stepmania/src/StepMania.cpp
index 56d56929f0..83fe445ca6 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/StepMania.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/StepMania.cpp
@@ -439,10 +439,6 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
 	 * Do it after ChangeToDirOfExecutable, so the log ends up in the right place. */
 	LOG			= new RageLog();
 
-#ifdef DEBUG
-	LOG->ShowConsole();
-#endif
-
 	/* Whew--we should be able to crash safely now! */
 
 	atexit(SDL_Quit);   /* Clean up on exit */
@@ -473,6 +469,10 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
 	//
 	GAMESTATE	= new GameState;
 	PREFSMAN	= new PrefsManager;
+
+	if( PREFSMAN->m_bShowConsole )
+		LOG->ShowConsole();
+
 	CheckSettings();
 
 	GAMEMAN		= new GameManager;