diff --git a/donkeycar/__init__.py b/donkeycar/__init__.py
index 209c11995..f13cc178c 100644
--- a/donkeycar/__init__.py
+++ b/donkeycar/__init__.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import os
 import sys
 from pyfiglet import Figlet
 import logging
@@ -5,7 +6,8 @@
 
 __version__ = get_distribution('donkeycar').version
 
-logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
+logging.basicConfig(level=os.environ.get('LOGLEVEL', 'INFO').upper())
+
 f = Figlet(font='speed')