We estimate a panel vector autoregressive model to analyze the highly disputed relationship between debt and growth. While several studies indicate that high levels of sovereign debt hamper the growth prospects of a country, our results question this. Using data on 20 developed countries, we find no evidence for a robust effect on debt to growth, even for higher levels of sovereign debt. We do find a significant negative reverse effect of growth to debt, which explains the negative correlation.JEL classification: H63, O43, C33