diff --git a/tests/rotctl.c b/tests/rotctl.c
index e49537f49..815c06920 100644
--- a/tests/rotctl.c
+++ b/tests/rotctl.c
@@ -160,6 +160,8 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 		}
 	}
 
+	rig_set_debug(verbose);
+
 	rig_debug(RIG_DEBUG_VERBOSE, "rotctl, %s\n", hamlib_version);
 	rig_debug(RIG_DEBUG_VERBOSE, "Report bugs to "
 			"<hamlib-developer@lists.sourceforge.net>\n\n");
diff --git a/tests/rotctld.c b/tests/rotctld.c
index 230806614..ca737ce80 100644
--- a/tests/rotctld.c
+++ b/tests/rotctld.c
@@ -212,6 +212,8 @@ int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 		}
 	}
 
+	rig_set_debug(verbose);
+
 	rig_debug(RIG_DEBUG_VERBOSE, "rotctld, %s\n", hamlib_version);
 	rig_debug(RIG_DEBUG_VERBOSE, "Report bugs to "
 			"<hamlib-developer@lists.sourceforge.net>\n\n");