diff --git a/packages/mediacenter/xbmc/init.d/93_xbmc b/packages/mediacenter/xbmc/init.d/93_xbmc
index 05eb267fff..74db285901 100644
--- a/packages/mediacenter/xbmc/init.d/93_xbmc
+++ b/packages/mediacenter/xbmc/init.d/93_xbmc
@@ -62,6 +62,10 @@ LIRCDEV="/var/run/lirc/lircd"
 [ -e /var/run/lirc/lircd.irtrans ] && LIRCDEV="/var/run/lirc/lircd.irtrans"
 XBMC_ARGS="--standalone -fs --lircdev $LIRCDEV"
 
+if [ "$DEBUG" = yes ]; then
+  XBMC_ARGS="$XBMC_ARGS --debug"
+fi
+
 progress "starting XBMC"
 
 # hack for Boxee Remote