diff --git a/lib/util.js b/lib/util.js
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/lib/util.js
+++ b/lib/util.js
@@ -136,6 +136,10 @@ exports.unwritableError = function(result) {
 
 exports.setDebug = function(newDebug) {
   debug = newDebug === true;
+
+  if (db) {
+    db = db.with({debug});
+  }
 };
 
 exports.assertConfigured = function() {
@@ -167,7 +171,7 @@ exports.getFirebaseData = function() {
   exports.assertConfigured();
 
   if (!db) {
-    db = database.create(rules, data.value, data.now);
+    db = database.create(rules, data.value, data.now).with({debug});
   }
 
   return db;
Tests display evaluation details when debug is on