diff --git a/debian/debian_config_common.py b/debian/debian_config_common.py
index 001b7df..86c7a49 100644
--- a/debian/debian_config_common.py
+++ b/debian/debian_config_common.py
@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ DEBUG_LOG_FORMAT = (
     '%(levelname)s \x1f%(name)s \x1f%(message)s'
 )
 
+DISABLE_GLOBAL_HANDLERS = os.environ.get('DISABLE_GLOBAL_HANDLERS') == '1'
+
+
 LOGGING = {
     'version': 1,
     'disable_existing_loggers': True,
@@ -175,20 +178,20 @@ LOGGING = {
         },
         # log py.warnings to syslog
         'py.warnings': {
-            'handlers': ['syslog_no_filter'],
+            'handlers': [] if DISABLE_GLOBAL_HANDLERS else ['syslog_no_filter'],
             'level': 'WARNING',
             'propagate': False,
         },
         '': {
             'level': 'DEBUG',
             'filters': ['request_context'],
-            'handlers': ['syslog', 'mail_admins', 'debug'],
+            'handlers': ([] if DISABLE_GLOBAL_HANDLERS else ['syslog']) + ['mail_admins', 'debug'],
         },
     },
 }
 
 # Journald support
-if os.path.exists('/run/systemd/journal/socket'):
+if os.path.exists('/run/systemd/journal/socket') and not DISABLE_GLOBAL_HANDLERS:
     try:
         from systemd import journal
     except ImportError:
@@ -203,7 +206,7 @@ if os.path.exists('/run/systemd/journal/socket'):
         LOGGING['loggers']['']['handlers'].remove('syslog')
         LOGGING['loggers']['']['handlers'].append('journald')
 
-elif not os.path.exists('/dev/log'):
+elif not os.path.exists('/dev/log') and not DISABLE_GLOBAL_HANDLERS:
     # if three's no syslog (for example when building a docker image), remove
     # those loggers.
     LOGGING['loggers']['']['handlers'].remove('syslog')
diff --git a/tox.ini b/tox.ini
index 6518618..060f2e7 100644
--- a/tox.ini
+++ b/tox.ini
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ envlist = py3-django111-{hobo,multipublik,multitenant,schemas,authentic,passerel
 [testenv]
 usedevelop = True
 setenv =
+	DISABLE_GLOBAL_HANDLERS=1
 	BRANCH_NAME={env:BRANCH_NAME:}
 	DB_ENGINE=django.db.backends.postgresql_psycopg2
 	SETUPTOOLS_USE_DISTUTILS=stdlib