diff --git a/fail2ban/server/jail.py b/fail2ban/server/jail.py
index dec04c73..ec6ff1a7 100644
--- a/fail2ban/server/jail.py
+++ b/fail2ban/server/jail.py
@@ -104,7 +104,9 @@ class Jail:
 				self.__actions = Actions(self)
 				return					# we are done
 			except ImportError, e:
-				logSys.debug(
+				# Log debug if auto, but error if specific
+				logSys.log(
+					logging.DEBUG if backend == "auto" else logging.ERROR,
 					"Backend %r failed to initialize due to %s" % (b, e))
 		# log error since runtime error message isn't printed, INVALID COMMAND
 		logSys.error(