diff --git a/src/RtpFecQueue.c b/src/RtpFecQueue.c
index 01fcc57..e322562 100644
--- a/src/RtpFecQueue.c
+++ b/src/RtpFecQueue.c
@@ -2,9 +2,12 @@
 #include "RtpFecQueue.h"
 #include "rs.h"
 
-// Uncomment to enable FEC validation mode with a synthetic drop
-// and recovered packet checks vs the original input.
-//#define FEC_VALIDATION_MODE
+#ifdef LC_DEBUG
+// This enables FEC validation mode with a synthetic drop
+// and recovered packet checks vs the original input. It
+// is on by default for debug builds.
+#define FEC_VALIDATION_MODE
+#endif
 
 void RtpfInitializeQueue(PRTP_FEC_QUEUE queue) {
     reed_solomon_init();