diff --git a/flask_sqlalchemy/__init__.py b/flask_sqlalchemy/__init__.py
index 22941de6..2b110d5e 100644
--- a/flask_sqlalchemy/__init__.py
+++ b/flask_sqlalchemy/__init__.py
@@ -457,11 +457,11 @@ def __get__(self, obj, type):
 
 
 def _record_queries(app):
-    if app.debug:
-        return True
     rq = app.config['SQLALCHEMY_RECORD_QUERIES']
     if rq is not None:
         return rq
+    if app.debug:
+        return True
     return bool(app.config.get('TESTING'))