diff --git a/Doc/using/cmdline.rst b/Doc/using/cmdline.rst
index 49fe3a0..905f14d 100644
--- a/Doc/using/cmdline.rst
+++ b/Doc/using/cmdline.rst
@@ -397,6 +397,8 @@
      stored in a traceback of a trace. Use ``-X tracemalloc=NFRAME`` to start
      tracing with a traceback limit of *NFRAME* frames. See the
      :func:`tracemalloc.start` for more information.
+   * ``-X showalloccount`` to enable the output of the total count of allocated
+     objects for each type (only works when built with ``COUNT_ALLOCS`` defined);
 
    It also allows passing arbitrary values and retrieving them through the
    :data:`sys._xoptions` dictionary.
@@ -410,6 +412,9 @@
    .. versionadded:: 3.4
       The ``-X showrefcount`` and ``-X tracemalloc`` options.
 
+   .. versionadded:: 3.6
+      The ``-X showalloccount`` option.
+
 
 Options you shouldn't use
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
diff --git a/Doc/whatsnew/3.6.rst b/Doc/whatsnew/3.6.rst
index 21e887f..1550eef 100644
--- a/Doc/whatsnew/3.6.rst
+++ b/Doc/whatsnew/3.6.rst
@@ -646,6 +646,16 @@
 This section lists previously described changes and other bugfixes
 that may require changes to your code.
 
+Changes in 'python' Command Behavior
+------------------------------------
+
+* The output of a special Python build with defined ``COUNT_ALLOCS``,
+  ``SHOW_ALLOC_COUNT`` or ``SHOW_TRACK_COUNT`` macros is now off by
+  default.  It can be re-enabled using the ``-X showalloccount`` option.
+  It now outputs to ``stderr`` instead of ``stdout``.
+  (Contributed by Serhiy Storchaka in :issue:`23034`.)
+
+
 Changes in the Python API
 -------------------------
 
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS b/Misc/NEWS
index 014ac54..c9a78d0 100644
--- a/Misc/NEWS
+++ b/Misc/NEWS
@@ -10,6 +10,11 @@
 Core and Builtins
 -----------------
 
+- Issue #23034: The output of a special Python build with defined COUNT_ALLOCS,
+  SHOW_ALLOC_COUNT or SHOW_TRACK_COUNT macros is now off by  default.  It can
+  be re-enabled using the "-X showalloccount" option.  It now outputs to stderr
+  instead of stdout.
+
 - Issue #27443: __length_hint__() of bytearray itearator no longer return
   negative integer for resized bytearray.
 
diff --git a/Objects/listobject.c b/Objects/listobject.c
index 6e2d026..ddc0fee 100644
--- a/Objects/listobject.c
+++ b/Objects/listobject.c
@@ -82,6 +82,16 @@
 static void
 show_alloc(void)
 {
+    PyObject *xoptions, *value;
+    _Py_IDENTIFIER(showalloccount);
+
+    xoptions = PySys_GetXOptions();
+    if (xoptions == NULL)
+        return;
+    value = _PyDict_GetItemId(xoptions, &PyId_showalloccount);
+    if (value != Py_True)
+        return;
+
     fprintf(stderr, "List allocations: %" PY_FORMAT_SIZE_T "d\n",
         count_alloc);
     fprintf(stderr, "List reuse through freelist: %" PY_FORMAT_SIZE_T
diff --git a/Objects/object.c b/Objects/object.c
index c83c8ec..559794f 100644
--- a/Objects/object.c
+++ b/Objects/object.c
@@ -109,6 +109,15 @@
 dump_counts(FILE* f)
 {
     PyTypeObject *tp;
+    PyObject *xoptions, *value;
+    _Py_IDENTIFIER(showalloccount);
+
+    xoptions = PySys_GetXOptions();
+    if (xoptions == NULL)
+        return;
+    value = _PyDict_GetItemId(xoptions, &PyId_showalloccount);
+    if (value != Py_True)
+        return;
 
     for (tp = type_list; tp; tp = tp->tp_next)
         fprintf(f, "%s alloc'd: %" PY_FORMAT_SIZE_T "d, "
diff --git a/Objects/tupleobject.c b/Objects/tupleobject.c
index a7774e2..1b41258 100644
--- a/Objects/tupleobject.c
+++ b/Objects/tupleobject.c
@@ -36,6 +36,16 @@
 static void
 show_track(void)
 {
+    PyObject *xoptions, *value;
+    _Py_IDENTIFIER(showalloccount);
+
+    xoptions = PySys_GetXOptions();
+    if (xoptions == NULL)
+        return;
+    value = _PyDict_GetItemId(xoptions, &PyId_showalloccount);
+    if (value != Py_True)
+        return;
+
     fprintf(stderr, "Tuples created: %" PY_FORMAT_SIZE_T "d\n",
         count_tracked + count_untracked);
     fprintf(stderr, "Tuples tracked by the GC: %" PY_FORMAT_SIZE_T
diff --git a/Python/pylifecycle.c b/Python/pylifecycle.c
index 72a00e6..2d2dcba 100644
--- a/Python/pylifecycle.c
+++ b/Python/pylifecycle.c
@@ -626,7 +626,7 @@
 
     /* Debugging stuff */
 #ifdef COUNT_ALLOCS
-    dump_counts(stdout);
+    dump_counts(stderr);
 #endif
     /* dump hash stats */
     _PyHash_Fini();