diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8acac69..164f7b7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -97,6 +97,7 @@ consistency.
 | `k3s_become_for_uninstall`               | Enable become for running uninstall scripts.                                        | _NULL_                                  |
 | `k3s_etcd_datastore`                     | Use Embedded Etcd as the database backend for HA. (EXPERIMENTAL)                    | `false`                                 |
 | `k3s_secrets_encryption`                 | Use secrets encryption at rest. (EXPERIMENTAL)                                      | `false`                                 |
+| `k3s_debug`                              | Enable debug logging on the k3s service                                             | `false`                                 |
 
 #### Important note about `k3s_release_version`
 
diff --git a/templates/k3s.service.j2 b/templates/k3s.service.j2
index 7aa33e5..add7909 100644
--- a/templates/k3s.service.j2
+++ b/templates/k3s.service.j2
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ ExecStartPre=-/sbin/modprobe overlay
 {% filter regex_replace('\s+', ' ') %}
 {% filter replace('\n', ' ') %}
 ExecStart={{ k3s_install_dir }}/k3s
+{% if k3s_debug is defined and k3s_debug %}
+    --debug
+{% endif %}
 {% if k3s_control_node %}
     server
     {% if k3s_bind_address is defined %}