diff --git a/lib/Net/XMPP/Debug.pm b/lib/Net/XMPP/Debug.pm
index dc8cb17..c9ae704 100644
--- a/lib/Net/XMPP/Debug.pm
+++ b/lib/Net/XMPP/Debug.pm
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ sub Init
     my %args;
     while($#_ >= 0) { $args{ lc pop(@_) } = pop(@_); }
 
-    delete($args{file}) if (lc($args{file}) eq "stdout");
+    delete($args{file}) if (defined $args{file} && lc($args{file}) eq "stdout");
 
     $args{time} = 0 if !exists($args{time});
     $args{setdefault} = 0 if !exists($args{setdefault});