diff --git a/src/library/blast/simple_strategy.cpp b/src/library/blast/simple_strategy.cpp
index 73d2d6e4d..2b9832023 100644
--- a/src/library/blast/simple_strategy.cpp
+++ b/src/library/blast/simple_strategy.cpp
@@ -23,7 +23,9 @@ class simple_strategy {
     enum status { NoAction, ClosedBranch, Continue };
 
     void display_msg(char const * msg) {
-        ios().get_diagnostic_channel() << msg << "\n\n";
+        if (m_config.m_trace) {
+            ios().get_diagnostic_channel() << msg << "\n\n";
+        }
     }
 
     void display_action(char const * name) {