diff --git a/src/sat.tac b/src/sat.tac
index 80f7a662..cbea7749 100644
--- a/src/sat.tac
+++ b/src/sat.tac
@@ -17,6 +17,17 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
 # along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+from twisted.internet import defer
+if defer.Deferred.debug:
+    # if we are in debug mode, we want to use ipdb instead of pdb
+    try:
+        import ipdb
+        import pdb
+        pdb.set_trace = ipdb.set_trace
+        pdb.post_mortem = ipdb.post_mortem
+    except ImportError:
+        pass
+
 from twisted.application import service
 from twisted.internet import glib2reactor
 glib2reactor.install()