diff --git a/source/Makefile.mk b/source/Makefile.mk
index 7aeec4256..0cb1e31bf 100644
--- a/source/Makefile.mk
+++ b/source/Makefile.mk
@@ -7,8 +7,10 @@
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Modify to enable/disable specific features
 
-# Build external plugins
+# Build external plugins (if debug is disabled)
+ifneq ($(DEBUG),true)
 EXTERNAL_PLUGINS = true
+endif
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # DO NOT MODIFY PAST THIS POINT!