diff --git a/rls/src/cmd.rs b/rls/src/cmd.rs
index 6b05ccb78c7..292347cd3dc 100644
--- a/rls/src/cmd.rs
+++ b/rls/src/cmd.rs
@@ -364,7 +364,8 @@ fn init() -> Sender<String> {
     let service = LsService::new(
         analysis,
         vfs,
-        Arc::new(Mutex::new(Config::default())),
+        // Don't clear `RUST_LOG` in CLI mode since it's intended for debugging purposes.
+        Arc::new(Mutex::new(Config { clear_env_rust_log: false, ..Default::default() })),
         Box::new(ChannelMsgReader::new(receiver)),
         PrintlnOutput,
     );