diff --git a/src/bmffimage.cpp b/src/bmffimage.cpp
index 7dd97286..84844fab 100644
--- a/src/bmffimage.cpp
+++ b/src/bmffimage.cpp
@@ -239,9 +239,10 @@ uint64_t BmffImage::boxHandler(std::ostream& out /* = std::cout*/, Exiv2::PrintS
   }
   visits_.insert(address);
 
-  bool bTrace = option == kpsBasic || option == kpsRecursive;
 #ifdef EXIV2_DEBUG_MESSAGES
-  bTrace = true;
+  bool bTrace = true;
+#else
+  bool bTrace = option == kpsBasic || option == kpsRecursive;
 #endif
 
   // 8-byte buffer for parsing the box length and type.