diff --git a/src/python/m5/main.py b/src/python/m5/main.py
index a4af29559d..92878af56d 100644
--- a/src/python/m5/main.py
+++ b/src/python/m5/main.py
@@ -205,9 +205,9 @@ def interact(scope):
 
 
 def _check_tracing():
-    from . import defines
+    import _m5.core
 
-    if defines.TRACING_ON:
+    if _m5.core.TRACING_ON:
         return
 
     fatal("Tracing is not enabled.  Compile with TRACING_ON")
diff --git a/src/python/pybind11/core.cc b/src/python/pybind11/core.cc
index 965160fee6..6fe2efd89b 100644
--- a/src/python/pybind11/core.cc
+++ b/src/python/pybind11/core.cc
@@ -289,6 +289,8 @@ pybind_init_core(py::module_ &m_native)
     m_core.attr("compileDate") = py::cast(compileDate);
     m_core.attr("gem5Version") = py::cast(gem5Version);
 
+    m_core.attr("TRACING_ON") = py::cast(TRACING_ON);
+
     m_core.attr("MaxTick") = py::cast(MaxTick);
 
     /*