diff --git a/sonic-radiance.love/birb/core/debug.lua b/sonic-radiance.love/birb/core/debug.lua
index 372b7f4..ddd423b 100644
--- a/sonic-radiance.love/birb/core/debug.lua
+++ b/sonic-radiance.love/birb/core/debug.lua
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 
 local DebugSystem = Object:extend()
 
-local lovebird = require "birb.libs.lovebird"
+local lovebird
 
 local Levels = enum {
   "ERROR",
@@ -38,12 +38,13 @@ function DebugSystem:new(controller)
   self.debugLevel = self.controller.conf.debugLevel or Levels.INFO
   self.active = (self.debugLevel == Levels.DEBUG)
   if (self.active) then
+    lovebird = require "birb.libs.lovebird"
     lovebird.update()
   end
 end
 
 function DebugSystem:update(dt)
-  if (self.active) then
+  if (self.active and lovebird ~= nil) then
     lovebird.update(dt)
   end
 end