diff --git a/compiler/debug.py b/compiler/debug.py
index 15876f22..228193a5 100644
--- a/compiler/debug.py
+++ b/compiler/debug.py
@@ -26,7 +26,10 @@ def check(check, str):
         log("ERROR: file {0}: line {1}: {2}\n".format(
             os.path.basename(filename), line_number, str))
 
-        assert 0
+        if globals.OPTS.debug_level > 0:
+            import pdb; pdb.set_trace()
+        else:
+            assert 0
 
 
 def error(str, return_value=0):
@@ -37,7 +40,10 @@ def error(str, return_value=0):
     log("ERROR: file {0}: line {1}: {2}\n".format(
         os.path.basename(filename), line_number, str))
 
-    assert return_value == 0
+    if globals.OPTS.debug_level > 0:
+        import pdb; pdb.set_trace()
+    else:
+        assert return_value == 0
 
 
 def warning(str):