diff --git a/anki/collection.py b/anki/collection.py
index 4f23d765e..4b6bb7c01 100644
--- a/anki/collection.py
+++ b/anki/collection.py
@@ -51,9 +51,8 @@ defaultConf = {
 # this is initialized by storage.Collection
 class _Collection(object):
 
-    debugLog = False
-
-    def __init__(self, db, server=False):
+    def __init__(self, db, server=False, log=False):
+        self._debugLog = log
         self.db = db
         self.path = db._path
         self._openLog()
@@ -783,7 +782,7 @@ and queue = 0""", intTime(), self.usn())
     ##########################################################################
 
     def log(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        if not self.debugLog:
+        if not self._debugLog:
             return
         def customRepr(x):
             if isinstance(x, basestring):
@@ -798,7 +797,7 @@ and queue = 0""", intTime(), self.usn())
             print buf
 
     def _openLog(self):
-        if not self.debugLog:
+        if not self._debugLog:
             return
         lpath = re.sub("\.anki2$", ".log", self.path)
         self._logHnd = open(lpath, "ab")
diff --git a/anki/storage.py b/anki/storage.py
index bd2d9a1b7..d83fef1ca 100644
--- a/anki/storage.py
+++ b/anki/storage.py
@@ -2,7 +2,10 @@
 # Copyright: Damien Elmes <anki@ichi2.net>
 # License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
 
-import os, copy, re
+import os
+import copy
+import re
+
 from anki.lang import _
 from anki.utils import intTime, json
 from anki.db import DB
@@ -11,7 +14,8 @@ from anki.consts import *
 from anki.stdmodels import addBasicModel, addClozeModel, addForwardReverse, \
     addForwardOptionalReverse
 
-def Collection(path, lock=True, server=False, sync=True):
+
+def Collection(path, lock=True, server=False, sync=True, log=False):
     "Open a new or existing collection. Path must be unicode."
     assert path.endswith(".anki2")
     path = os.path.abspath(path)
@@ -33,7 +37,7 @@ def Collection(path, lock=True, server=False, sync=True):
     else:
         db.execute("pragma synchronous = off")
     # add db to col and do any remaining upgrades
-    col = _Collection(db, server)
+    col = _Collection(db, server, log)
     if ver < SCHEMA_VERSION:
         _upgrade(col, ver)
     elif create:
diff --git a/aqt/main.py b/aqt/main.py
index a8133f561..2b0f840f8 100644
--- a/aqt/main.py
+++ b/aqt/main.py
@@ -31,8 +31,6 @@ class AnkiQt(QMainWindow):
         self.state = "startup"
         aqt.mw = self
         self.app = app
-        from anki.collection import _Collection
-        _Collection.debugLog = True
         if isWin:
             self._xpstyle = QStyleFactory.create("WindowsXP")
             self.app.setStyle(self._xpstyle)
@@ -270,7 +268,7 @@ To import into a password protected profile, please open the profile before atte
     def loadCollection(self):
         self.hideSchemaMsg = True
         try:
-            self.col = Collection(self.pm.collectionPath())
+            self.col = Collection(self.pm.collectionPath(), log=True)
         except anki.db.Error:
             # move back to profile manager
             showWarning("""\
diff --git a/aqt/sync.py b/aqt/sync.py
index 0d6cc51e5..8fc9bb1f1 100644
--- a/aqt/sync.py
+++ b/aqt/sync.py
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ class SyncThread(QThread):
         self.syncMsg = ""
         self.uname = ""
         try:
-            self.col = Collection(self.path)
+            self.col = Collection(self.path, log=True)
         except:
             self.fireEvent("corrupt")
             return