diff --git a/plugins/common/log.go b/plugins/common/log.go
index fe1193e1e..e939cd1b2 100644
--- a/plugins/common/log.go
+++ b/plugins/common/log.go
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ func LogStderr(text string) {
 
 // LogDebug is the debug log formatter
 func LogDebug(text string) {
-	if os.Getenv("DOKKU_TRACE") == "" {
-		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, fmt.Sprintf(" ?     %s", text))
+	if os.Getenv("DOKKU_TRACE") == "1" {
+		fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, fmt.Sprintf(" ?     %s", strings.TrimPrefix(text, " ?     ")))
 	}
 }