diff --git a/modules/system/boot/stage-2-init.sh b/modules/system/boot/stage-2-init.sh
index ac6193b99629..7a619f1f97f7 100644
--- a/modules/system/boot/stage-2-init.sh
+++ b/modules/system/boot/stage-2-init.sh
@@ -174,4 +174,4 @@ fi
 
 # Start Upstart's init.
 echo "starting Upstart..."
-PATH=/var/run/current-system/upstart/sbin exec init
+PATH=/var/run/current-system/upstart/sbin exec init ${debug2:+--verbose}