diff --git a/torch/__init__.py b/torch/__init__.py
index 62f0998a4d3..6833a998e4b 100644
--- a/torch/__init__.py
+++ b/torch/__init__.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ if sys.version_info < (3,):
 
 from ._utils import _import_dotted_name
 from ._utils_internal import get_file_path, prepare_multiprocessing_environment, \
-    USE_RTLD_GLOBAL_WITH_LIBTORCH
+    USE_RTLD_GLOBAL_WITH_LIBTORCH, USE_GLOBAL_DEPS
 from .version import __version__
 from ._six import string_classes as _string_classes
 
@@ -130,8 +130,13 @@ else:
     # C++ symbols from libtorch clobbering C++ symbols from other
     # libraries, leading to mysterious segfaults.
     #
+    # If building in an environment where libtorch_global_deps isn't available
+    # like parts of fbsource, but where RTLD_GLOBAL causes segfaults, you will
+    # want USE_RTLD_GLOBAL_WITH_LIBTORCH = False and USE_GLOBAL_DEPS = False
+    #
     # See Note [Global dependencies]
-    _load_global_deps()
+    if USE_GLOBAL_DEPS:
+        _load_global_deps()
     from torch._C import *
 
 __all__ += [name for name in dir(_C)
diff --git a/torch/_utils_internal.py b/torch/_utils_internal.py
index c256a9a71fc..35466aa0f25 100644
--- a/torch/_utils_internal.py
+++ b/torch/_utils_internal.py
@@ -57,4 +57,9 @@ def get_source_lines_and_file(obj, error_msg=None):
 
 TEST_MASTER_ADDR = '127.0.0.1'
 TEST_MASTER_PORT = 29500
+# USE_GLOBAL_DEPS controls whether __init__.py tries to load 
+# libtorch_global_deps, see Note [Global dependencies]
+USE_GLOBAL_DEPS = True
+# USE_RTLD_GLOBAL_WITH_LIBTORCH controls whether __init__.py tries to load
+# _C.so with RTLD_GLOBAL during the call to dlopen.
 USE_RTLD_GLOBAL_WITH_LIBTORCH = False