diff --git a/debian/bin/gencontrol.py b/debian/bin/gencontrol.py
index 6e590396d..5e01ace1c 100755
--- a/debian/bin/gencontrol.py
+++ b/debian/bin/gencontrol.py
@@ -268,6 +268,12 @@ class Gencontrol(Base):
             extra['headers_arch_depends'].append('%s (= ${binary:Version})' % packages_own[-1]['Package'])
 
         build_debug = config_entry_build.get('debug-info')
+
+        if build_debug and self.changelog[0].distribution == 'UNRELEASED' and os.getenv('DEBIAN_KERNEL_DISABLE_DEBUG'):
+            import warnings
+            warnings.warn(u'Disable building of debug infos on request (DEBIAN_KERNEL_DISABLE_DEBUG)')
+            build_debug = False
+
         if build_debug:
             makeflags['DEBUG'] = True
             packages_own.extend(self.process_packages(self.templates['control.image-dbg'], vars))