diff --git a/plugins/exec.py b/plugins/exec.py
index e3822be..a588ea3 100644
--- a/plugins/exec.py
+++ b/plugins/exec.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import pprint
 # easier to access through eval and exec.
 import threading
 
-from pylinkirc import utils, world
+from pylinkirc import utils, world, conf
 from pylinkirc.coremods import permissions
 from pylinkirc.log import log
 
@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@ exec_locals_dict = {}
 PPRINT_MAX_LINES = 20
 PPRINT_WIDTH = 200
 
+if not conf.conf['pylink'].get("debug_enabled", False):
+    raise RuntimeError("pylink::debug_enabled must be enabled to load this plugin")
+
 def _exec(irc, source, args, locals_dict=None):
     """<code>