diff --git a/plugin/wakatime.vim b/plugin/wakatime.vim
index 09ba95c..8e3b588 100644
--- a/plugin/wakatime.vim
+++ b/plugin/wakatime.vim
@@ -192,7 +192,11 @@ let s:VERSION = '4.0.14'
                     exec 'silent !start /min cmd /c "' . s:JoinArgs(cmd) . '"'
                 endif
             else
-                let stdout = system(s:JoinArgs(cmd) . ' &')
+                if s:is_debug_mode_on
+                    let stdout = system(s:JoinArgs(cmd))
+                else
+                    let stdout = system(s:JoinArgs(cmd) . ' &')
+                endif
             endif
             call s:SetLastHeartbeat(a:time, a:time, file)
             if s:is_debug_mode_on && stdout != ''