diff --git a/gecko.c b/gecko.c
index 3ffce78..b3d0df4 100644
--- a/gecko.c
+++ b/gecko.c
@@ -200,6 +200,7 @@ u8 gecko_enable_console(const u8 enable)
 	return gecko_console_enabled;
 }
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 int gecko_printf(const char *fmt, ...)
 {
 	if (!gecko_console_enabled)
@@ -215,6 +216,7 @@ int gecko_printf(const char *fmt, ...)
 
 	return gecko_sendbuffer(buffer, i);
 }
+#endif
 
 // irq context
 
diff --git a/gecko.h b/gecko.h
index ce10716..6b49af1 100644
--- a/gecko.h
+++ b/gecko.h
@@ -29,7 +29,13 @@ Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA
 
 void gecko_init(void);
 u8 gecko_enable_console(const u8 enable);
+
+#ifdef NDEBUG
+#define gecko_printf(...) do { } while(0)
+#else
 int gecko_printf(const char *fmt, ...) __attribute__((format (printf, 1, 2)));
+#endif
+
 void gecko_timer_initialize(void);
 void gecko_timer(void);