diff --git a/tools/releasetools/merge_target_files.py b/tools/releasetools/merge_target_files.py
index 81b95c807b..cfffbc7352 100755
--- a/tools/releasetools/merge_target_files.py
+++ b/tools/releasetools/merge_target_files.py
@@ -94,7 +94,6 @@ import ota_from_target_files
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 OPTIONS = common.OPTIONS
-OPTIONS.verbose = True
 OPTIONS.framework_target_files = None
 OPTIONS.framework_item_list = None
 OPTIONS.framework_misc_info_keys = None
@@ -1057,6 +1056,9 @@ def main():
     common.Usage(__doc__)
     sys.exit(1)
 
+  # Always turn on verbose logging.
+  OPTIONS.verbose = True
+
   if OPTIONS.framework_item_list:
     framework_item_list = common.LoadListFromFile(OPTIONS.framework_item_list)
   else: