diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 6397ee2e64..ad9ecba74f 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -2587,6 +2587,7 @@ if mkosi.found()
                         '--cache-dir', meson.current_build_dir() / 'mkosi.cache',
                         '--build-dir', meson.current_build_dir() / 'mkosi.builddir',
                         '--force',
+                        '--debug',
                         'build'
                 ],
                 depends : public_programs + [