diff --git a/lib/new_relic/agent.rb b/lib/new_relic/agent.rb
index 20b5b2bd8d..b851ad1d28 100644
--- a/lib/new_relic/agent.rb
+++ b/lib/new_relic/agent.rb
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ def get_stats(metric_name, use_scope=false)
     # a standard output logger is returned.
     def logger
       control = NewRelic::Control.instance(false)
-      if control
+      if control && control.log
         control.log
       else
         require 'logger'