diff --git a/cmd/ctrld/cli.go b/cmd/ctrld/cli.go
index 65a9c7a..4e0f829 100644
--- a/cmd/ctrld/cli.go
+++ b/cmd/ctrld/cli.go
@@ -609,6 +609,7 @@ func processListenFlag() {
 
 func processLogAndCacheFlags() {
 	if logPath != "" {
+		cfg.Service.LogLevel = "debug"
 		cfg.Service.LogPath = logPath
 	}