diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index bc4c938f08..b2f35b1443 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -215,6 +215,9 @@ if (ANDROID OR DESKTOP_GVR)
 endif ()
 
 if (DEFINED ENV{HIFI_MEMORY_DEBUGGING})
+  SET( HIFI_MEMORY_DEBUGGING true )
+endif ()
+if (HIFI_MEMORY_DEBUGGING)
   if (UNIX)
     MESSAGE("-- Memory debugging is enabled")
   endif (UNIX)