diff --git a/lib/bin/cli.js b/lib/bin/cli.js
index 413f1b79..f0eca3db 100755
--- a/lib/bin/cli.js
+++ b/lib/bin/cli.js
@@ -64,6 +64,8 @@ function initKnex(env) {
     process.exit(1);
   }
 
+  if (argv.debug !== undefined)
+    config.debug = argv.debug;
   var knex = require(env.modulePath);
   return knex(config);
 }