diff --git a/commands/root.go b/commands/root.go
index 7d6b1718c33d..93815cd92648 100644
--- a/commands/root.go
+++ b/commands/root.go
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ func NewRootCmd(name string, isPlugin bool, dockerCli *command.DockerCli) *cobra
 				options := cliflags.NewClientOptions()
 				options.InstallFlags(nflags)
 				options.SetDefaultOptions(nflags)
+				options.Debug = opt.debug || debug.IsEnabled()
 				return dockerCli.Initialize(options)
 			}
 			return plugin.PersistentPreRunE(cmd, args)