diff --git a/wxPython/src/helpers.cpp b/wxPython/src/helpers.cpp
index 3a21537fb3..ea47bcdf92 100644
--- a/wxPython/src/helpers.cpp
+++ b/wxPython/src/helpers.cpp
@@ -156,6 +156,7 @@ int wxPyApp::OnExit() {
 }
 
 
+#ifdef __WXDEBUG__
 void wxPyApp::OnAssert(const wxChar *file,
                      int line,
                      const wxChar *cond,
@@ -218,7 +219,7 @@ void wxPyApp::OnAssert(const wxChar *file,
             wxApp::OnAssert(file, line, cond, msg);
     }
 }
-
+#endif
 
 //---------------------------------------------------------------------
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/wxPython/src/helpers.h b/wxPython/src/helpers.h
index 49a6545026..e7524f103a 100644
--- a/wxPython/src/helpers.h
+++ b/wxPython/src/helpers.h
@@ -424,10 +424,13 @@ public:
 
     virtual bool OnInitGui();
     virtual int OnExit();
+#ifdef __WXDEBUG__
     virtual void OnAssert(const wxChar *file,
                           int line,
                           const wxChar *cond,
                           const wxChar *msg);
+#endif
+
     // virtual int FilterEvent(wxEvent& event); // This one too????
 
     PYPRIVATE;