diff --git a/direct/src/showbase/GarbageReport.py b/direct/src/showbase/GarbageReport.py
index 3e535a04a9..e1452be320 100755
--- a/direct/src/showbase/GarbageReport.py
+++ b/direct/src/showbase/GarbageReport.py
@@ -553,6 +553,8 @@ def checkForGarbageLeaks():
     return numGarbage
 
 def b_checkForGarbageLeaks(wantReply=False):
+    if not __dev__:
+        return 0
     # does a garbage collect on the client and the AI
     # returns number of client garbage leaks
     # logs leak info and terminates (if configured to do so)