diff --git a/dir-config.el b/dir-config.el
index 5f18527..d8c0700 100644
--- a/dir-config.el
+++ b/dir-config.el
@@ -90,18 +90,6 @@ dir-config loading."
   :type 'boolean
   :group 'dir-config)
 
-(defcustom dir-config-debug nil
-  "Enable debug mode for dir-config operations if non-nil.
-When this option is enabled, detailed debug information will be logged for
-various dir-config activities, including:
-- Loading of directory config files
-- Cases where directory config files are not found
-- Internal state and processing steps
-- No error handling
-This option is useful for diagnosing and troubleshooting complex issues."
-  :type 'boolean
-  :group 'dir-config)
-
 (defcustom dir-config-allowed-directories '()
   "List of directory names where dir-config files are allowed.
 Both the dir-config file (e.g., '.dir-config.el') and the buffer path must be
@@ -110,6 +98,16 @@ under these directories, not just the dir-config file."
   :group 'dir-config)
 
 ;; Internal variables
+(defvar dir-config--debug nil
+  "Internal variable that enables debug mode if non-nil.
+When this option is enabled, detailed debug information will be logged for
+various dir-config activities, including:
+- Loading of directory config files
+- Cases where directory config files are not found
+- Internal state and processing steps
+- No error handling
+This option is useful for diagnosing and troubleshooting complex issues.")
+
 (defvar dir-config--loaded nil)
 (defvar dir-config--allowed-p nil)
 (defvar dir-config--file nil)
@@ -187,7 +185,7 @@ The dir-config file is loaded only if the directory is allowed and is sourced
 from the closest parent directory of the buffer."
   (if (bound-and-true-p dir-config--loaded)
       ;; Skip it
-      (when dir-config-debug
+      (when dir-config--debug
         (dir-config--message "[DEBUG] %s: Skipping load as already loaded: %s"
                              (buffer-name)
                              dir-config--file))
@@ -195,7 +193,7 @@ from the closest parent directory of the buffer."
     (let ((current-dir (dir-config--buffer-cwd)))
       (if (not current-dir)
           ;; Buffer not supported
-          (when dir-config-debug
+          (when dir-config--debug
             (dir-config--message (concat "[DEBUG] Ignored because the "
                                          "buffer '%s' is not supported"
                                          " (major-mode: %s)")
@@ -211,7 +209,7 @@ from the closest parent directory of the buffer."
                 (dir-config--find-dominating-file dir-config-file-names
                                                   current-dir)))
           (if (not dir-config-file)
-              (when dir-config-debug
+              (when dir-config--debug
                 (dir-config--message (concat
                                       "[DEBUG] %s: None of the dir-config "
                                       "files %s were found for the '%s' "
@@ -236,7 +234,7 @@ from the closest parent directory of the buffer."
                 (setq-local dir-config--file dir-config-file)
 
                 ;; Load
-                (if dir-config-debug
+                (if dir-config--debug
                     (progn
                       ;; Do not handle errors when debug is activated
                       (load dir-config-file nil t t)