diff --git a/cmd/cluster-image-registry-operator/main.go b/cmd/cluster-image-registry-operator/main.go
index ac31958d13..93fbf03d99 100644
--- a/cmd/cluster-image-registry-operator/main.go
+++ b/cmd/cluster-image-registry-operator/main.go
@@ -39,6 +39,11 @@ func main() {
 		_ = logstderr.Value.Set("true")
 	}
 
+	if err := klogFlags.Set("v", "5"); err != nil {
+		klog.Errorf("%v", err)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+
 	watchedFileChanged := make(chan struct{})
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	stopCh := signals.SetupSignalHandler()
diff --git a/manifests/07-operator.yaml b/manifests/07-operator.yaml
index 9058337dd9..7471fa739d 100644
--- a/manifests/07-operator.yaml
+++ b/manifests/07-operator.yaml
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ spec:
           - --files=/var/run/configmaps/trusted-ca/tls-ca-bundle.pem
           - --files=/etc/secrets/tls.crt
           - --files=/etc/secrets/tls.key
+          - -v=5
           image: docker.io/openshift/origin-cluster-image-registry-operator:latest
           ports:
           - containerPort: 60000