diff --git a/src/common/slurm_protocol_api.c b/src/common/slurm_protocol_api.c
index 29b3dc304420cff79efe2ea1645fcb28e720bdcc..f951404abedceebbebe86ceff2d4ffc71468de97 100644
--- a/src/common/slurm_protocol_api.c
+++ b/src/common/slurm_protocol_api.c
@@ -2564,8 +2564,10 @@ slurm_fd_t slurm_open_controller_conn(slurm_addr_t *addr)
 			if (have_backup) {
 				fd = slurm_open_msg_conn(&myproto->
 							 secondary_controller);
-				if (fd >= 0)
+				if (fd >= 0) {
+					debug("Contacted secondary controller");
 					goto end_it;
+				}
 				debug("Failed to contact secondary "
 				      "controller: %m");
 			}