diff --git a/C4/Context.pm b/C4/Context.pm
index 4dcd743dd9..e81fd953ed 100644
--- a/C4/Context.pm
+++ b/C4/Context.pm
@@ -64,6 +64,11 @@ BEGIN {
                 print "</body></html>";
 			}
 		CGI::Carp::set_message(\&handle_errors);
+		## give a stack backtrace if KOHA_BACKTRACES is set
+		## can't rely on DebugLevel for this, as we're not yet connected
+		if ($ENV{KOHA_BACKTRACES}) {
+			$main::SIG{__DIE__} = \&CGI::Carp::confess;
+		}
     }  	# else there is no browser to send fatals to!
 	$VERSION = '3.00.00.036';
 }