diff --git a/.gitmodules b/.gitmodules
index 9e259f31..9749f875 100644
--- a/.gitmodules
+++ b/.gitmodules
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [submodule "bsnes"]
 	path = bsnes
-	url = ./
+	url = .
 [submodule "gambatte"]
 	path = gambatte
-	url = ./
+	url = .
diff --git a/options.build b/options.build
index d5d5c119..9e2481db 100644
--- a/options.build
+++ b/options.build
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ FONT_SRC=unifontfull-5.1.20080820.hex
 # Lua package to use.
 # - Usually either 'lua' or 'lua5.2'.
 # - Default value is 'lua'.
-LUA=lua
+LUA=lua5.2
 
 # Regex package to use.
 # Currently supported:
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ GRAPHICS=WXWIDGETS
 # - DUMMY: No sound.
 # - PORTAUDIO: Portaudio.
 # - LIBAO: Libao.
-SOUND=PORTAUDIO
+SOUND=DUMMY
 
 # Joystick library to use.
 # Currently supported:
diff --git a/src/platform/wxwidgets/main.cpp b/src/platform/wxwidgets/main.cpp
index 40562156..038fcc90 100644
--- a/src/platform/wxwidgets/main.cpp
+++ b/src/platform/wxwidgets/main.cpp
@@ -605,7 +605,9 @@ bool lsnes_app::OnInit()
 	lsnes_instance.mdumper->set_output(&messages.getstream());
 
 	msg_window = new wxwin_messages(lsnes_instance);
-	msg_window->Show();
+        if(!getenv("LSNES_HIDE_MESSAGES")) {
+            msg_window->Show();
+        }
 
 	init_main_callbacks();
 
diff --git a/src/platform/wxwidgets/mainwindow.cpp b/src/platform/wxwidgets/mainwindow.cpp
index 0f6ca441..0fd37b83 100644
--- a/src/platform/wxwidgets/mainwindow.cpp
+++ b/src/platform/wxwidgets/mainwindow.cpp
@@ -1080,6 +1080,10 @@ wxwin_mainwindow::wxwin_mainwindow(emulator_instance& _inst, bool fscreen)
 	toplevel->Add(gpanel = new panel(this, inst), 1, wxGROW);
 	toplevel->Add(spanel = new wxwin_status::panel(this, inst, gpanel, 20), 1, wxGROW);
 	spanel_shown = true;
+        if(getenv("LSNES_HIDE_STATUSPANEL")) {
+            spanel_shown = false;
+            spanel->Hide();
+        }
 	toplevel->SetSizeHints(this);
 	SetSizer(toplevel);
 	Fit();