diff --git a/debug b/.debug
similarity index 100%
rename from debug
rename to .debug
diff --git a/lib/version.py b/lib/version.py
index 1b9ebf6..3e4ffdb 100644
--- a/lib/version.py
+++ b/lib/version.py
@@ -5,9 +5,10 @@ MAJOR = 2
 MINOR = 0
 
 DEBUG = False
-with open("debug") as f:
-    if f.read().strip() == "emmental":
-        DEBUG = True
+if os.path.exists(".debug"):
+    with open(".debug") as f:
+        if f.read().strip() == "emmental":
+            DEBUG = True
 
 TESTING = os.environ.get("EMMENTAL_TESTING") != None