diff --git a/tests/realmd_join_cockpit.pm b/tests/realmd_join_cockpit.pm
index 916f88fa..70e1fb82 100644
--- a/tests/realmd_join_cockpit.pm
+++ b/tests/realmd_join_cockpit.pm
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@ sub run {
     mutex_unlock "freeipa_ready";
     # do repo setup
     repo_setup();
+    # set sssd debugging level higher (useful for debugging failures)
+    # optional as it's not really part of the test
+    script_run "dnf -y install sssd-tools", 220;
+    script_run "sss_debuglevel 9";
     # run firefox and login to cockpit
     # note: we can't use wait_screen_change, wait_still_screen or
     # check_type_string in cockpit because of that fucking constantly
diff --git a/tests/realmd_join_sssd.pm b/tests/realmd_join_sssd.pm
index 98520055..cb12b12c 100644
--- a/tests/realmd_join_sssd.pm
+++ b/tests/realmd_join_sssd.pm
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ sub run {
     # set sssd debugging level higher (useful for debugging failures)
     # optional as it's not really part of the test
     script_run "dnf -y install sssd-tools", 220;
-    script_run "sss_debuglevel 6";
+    script_run "sss_debuglevel 9";
     # if upgrade test, report that we're enrolled
     mutex_create('client_enrolled') if get_var("UPGRADE");
     # if this is an upgrade test, wait for server to be upgraded before