diff --git a/src/util.h b/src/util.h
index 7cc7669f..b5c1fce5 100755
--- a/src/util.h
+++ b/src/util.h
@@ -128,45 +128,46 @@ public:
     // this function simply converts the type of size to integer
     inline int Size() const { return std::vector<TData>::size(); }
 
-#ifdef _DEBUG_
     // This operator allows for a l-value assignment of this object:
     // CVector[x] = y is possible
     inline TData& operator[] ( const int iPos )
     {
+#ifdef _DEBUG_
         if ( ( iPos < 0 ) || ( iPos > Size() - 1 ) )
         {
             DebugError ( "Writing vector out of bounds", "Vector size",
                 Size(), "New parameter", iPos );
         }
-
+#endif
         return std::vector<TData>::operator[] ( iPos );
     }
 
     inline TData operator[] ( const int iPos ) const
     {
+#ifdef _DEBUG_
         if ( ( iPos < 0 ) || ( iPos > Size() - 1 ) )
         {
             DebugError ( "Reading vector out of bounds", "Vector size",
                 Size(), "New parameter", iPos );
         }
-
+#endif
         return std::vector<TData>::operator[] ( iPos );
     }
 
     inline CVector<TData>& operator= ( const CVector<TData>& vecI )
     {
+#ifdef _DEBUG_
         // vectors which shall be copied MUST have same size!
         if ( vecI.Size() != Size() )
         {
             DebugError ( "Vector operator=() different size", "Vector size",
                 Size(), "New parameter", vecI.Size() );
         }
-
+#endif
         std::vector<TData>::operator= ( vecI );
 
         return *this;
     }
-#endif
 };