diff --git a/lib/query.js b/lib/query.js
index b115e6f17f7..21e19d205ed 100644
--- a/lib/query.js
+++ b/lib/query.js
@@ -1397,9 +1397,11 @@ Query.prototype.setOptions = function(options, overwrite) {
 Query.prototype.explain = function(verbose) {
   if (arguments.length === 0) {
     this.options.explain = true;
-    return this;
+  } else if (verbose === false) {
+    delete this.options.explain;
+  } else {
+    this.options.explain = verbose;
   }
-  this.options.explain = verbose;
   return this;
 };