diff --git a/Lib/distutils/tests/test_dist.py b/Lib/distutils/tests/test_dist.py
index 75b74a2..553f30c 100644
--- a/Lib/distutils/tests/test_dist.py
+++ b/Lib/distutils/tests/test_dist.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 
 from distutils.dist import Distribution, fix_help_options
 from distutils.cmd import Command
+import distutils.dist
 
 from test.test_support import TESTFN, captured_stdout
 from distutils.tests import support
@@ -56,6 +57,27 @@
         d.parse_command_line()
         return d
 
+    def test_debug_mode(self):
+        with open(TESTFN, "w") as f:
+            f.write("[global]")
+            f.write("command_packages = foo.bar, splat")
+
+        files = [TESTFN]
+        sys.argv.append("build")
+
+        with captured_stdout() as stdout:
+            self.create_distribution(files)
+        stdout.seek(0)
+        self.assertEquals(stdout.read(), '')
+        distutils.dist.DEBUG = True
+        try:
+            with captured_stdout() as stdout:
+                self.create_distribution(files)
+            stdout.seek(0)
+            self.assertEquals(stdout.read(), '')
+        finally:
+            distutils.dist.DEBUG = False
+
     def test_command_packages_unspecified(self):
         sys.argv.append("build")
         d = self.create_distribution()