diff --git a/lib/libzpool/common/kernel.c b/lib/libzpool/common/kernel.c
index 418ef435b00..5e329733e11 100644
--- a/lib/libzpool/common/kernel.c
+++ b/lib/libzpool/common/kernel.c
@@ -629,6 +629,9 @@ dprintf_setup(int *argc, char **argv)
 	 */
 	if (dprintf_find_string("on"))
 		dprintf_print_all = 1;
+
+	if (dprintf_string != NULL)
+		zfs_flags |= ZFS_DEBUG_DPRINTF;
 }
 
 /*