diff --git a/basis/logging/logging.factor b/basis/logging/logging.factor
index ff1baa4ebb..e295960baa 100644
--- a/basis/logging/logging.factor
+++ b/basis/logging/logging.factor
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ SYMBOLS: DEBUG NOTICE WARNING ERROR CRITICAL ;
 
 SYMBOL: log-level
 
+log-level [ DEBUG ] initialize
+
 : log-levels ( -- assoc )
     H{
         { DEBUG 0 }