diff --git a/types.h b/types.h
index f5a71aace..d11698ef3 100644
--- a/types.h
+++ b/types.h
@@ -42,6 +42,10 @@
 
 #include "defs.h"
 
+// temporarily enable debug features for all builds
+#ifndef _DEBUG
+#define _DEBUG
+#endif
 // If defined, use copy protection [Default -> Defined]
 //#define COPYPROT
 // If defined, don't reload for debuggers [Default -> Undefined]