diff --git a/data/polkit.service.in b/data/polkit.service.in
index e6db351f..15f44da6 100644
--- a/data/polkit.service.in
+++ b/data/polkit.service.in
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ BusName=org.freedesktop.PolicyKit1
 CapabilityBoundingSet=CAP_SETUID CAP_SETGID
 DeviceAllow=/dev/null rw
 DevicePolicy=strict
-ExecStart=@libprivdir@/polkitd --no-debug
+ExecStart=@libprivdir@/polkitd --no-debug --log-level=err
 User=@polkitd_user@
 LimitMEMLOCK=0
 LockPersonality=yes
diff --git a/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendauthority.c b/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendauthority.c
index c6a782c5..feba3650 100644
--- a/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendauthority.c
+++ b/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendauthority.c
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ enum
 };
 
 static guint signals[LAST_SIGNAL] = {0};
+static guint polkit_authority_log_level = LOG_LEVEL_ERROR;
 
 G_DEFINE_ABSTRACT_TYPE (PolkitBackendAuthority, polkit_backend_authority, G_TYPE_OBJECT);
 
@@ -1561,6 +1562,7 @@ _color_get (_Color color)
 
 void
 polkit_backend_authority_log (PolkitBackendAuthority *authority,
+                              const guint message_log_level,
                               const gchar *format,
                               ...)
 {
@@ -1571,13 +1573,18 @@ polkit_backend_authority_log (PolkitBackendAuthority *authority,
   gchar *message;
   va_list var_args;
 
+  if (message_log_level > polkit_authority_log_level)
+  {
+	  return;
+  }
+
   g_return_if_fail (POLKIT_BACKEND_IS_AUTHORITY (authority));
 
   va_start (var_args, format);
   message = g_strdup_vprintf (format, var_args);
   va_end (var_args);
 
-  syslog (LOG_NOTICE, "%s", message);
+  syslog (message_log_level, "%s", message);
 
   g_get_current_time (&now);
   now_time = (time_t) now.tv_sec;
@@ -1591,3 +1598,26 @@ polkit_backend_authority_log (PolkitBackendAuthority *authority,
 
   g_free (message);
 }
+
+void
+polkit_backend_authority_set_log_level (const gchar *level)
+  {
+    /* Match syslog names so that they are the same across journalct, systemctl
+     * et al, but also accept more readable aliases for abbreviated levels. */
+    if (g_strcmp0 (level, "debug") == 0)
+      polkit_authority_log_level = (guint) LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG;
+    else if (g_strcmp0 (level, "info") == 0)
+      polkit_authority_log_level = (guint) LOG_LEVEL_INFO;
+    else if (g_strcmp0 (level, "notice") == 0)
+      polkit_authority_log_level = (guint) LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE;
+    else if (g_strcmp0 (level, "warning") == 0)
+      polkit_authority_log_level = (guint) LOG_LEVEL_WARNING;
+    else if (g_strcmp0 (level, "err") == 0 || g_strcmp0 (level, "error") == 0)
+      polkit_authority_log_level = (guint) LOG_LEVEL_ERROR;
+    else if (g_strcmp0 (level, "crit") == 0 || g_strcmp0 (level, "critical") == 0)
+      polkit_authority_log_level = (guint) LOG_LEVEL_CRIT;
+    else if (g_strcmp0 (level, "alert") == 0)
+      polkit_authority_log_level = (guint) LOG_LEVEL_ALERT;
+    else if (g_strcmp0 (level, "emerg") == 0 || g_strcmp0 (level, "emergency") == 0)
+      polkit_authority_log_level = (guint) LOG_LEVEL_EMERG;
+}
diff --git a/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendauthority.h b/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendauthority.h
index 88df82e4..c4464da1 100644
--- a/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendauthority.h
+++ b/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendauthority.h
@@ -52,6 +52,21 @@ struct _PolkitBackendAuthority
   GObject parent_instance;
 };
 
+/**
+ * Log levels aligned with those used in syslog and LogControl
+ */
+enum
+{
+	LOG_LEVEL_EMERG,
+	LOG_LEVEL_ALERT,
+	LOG_LEVEL_CRIT,
+	LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
+	LOG_LEVEL_WARNING,
+	LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE,
+	LOG_LEVEL_INFO,
+	LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
+};
+
 /**
  * PolkitBackendAuthorityClass:
  * @parent_class: The parent class.
@@ -212,9 +227,13 @@ const gchar             *polkit_backend_authority_get_version  (PolkitBackendAut
 PolkitAuthorityFeatures  polkit_backend_authority_get_features (PolkitBackendAuthority *authority);
 
 void     polkit_backend_authority_log (PolkitBackendAuthority *authority,
+                                       const guint message_log_level,
                                        const gchar *format,
                                        ...);
 
+void
+polkit_backend_authority_set_log_level (const gchar *level);
+
 GList   *polkit_backend_authority_enumerate_actions         (PolkitBackendAuthority    *authority,
                                                              PolkitSubject             *caller,
                                                              const gchar               *locale,
diff --git a/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendcommon.c b/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendcommon.c
index 2ab267f1..349242f6 100644
--- a/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendcommon.c
+++ b/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendcommon.c
@@ -349,6 +349,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_on_dir_monitor_changed (GFileMonitor     *monitor,
            event_type == G_FILE_MONITOR_EVENT_CHANGES_DONE_HINT))
         {
           polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                        LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE,
                                         "Reloading rules");
           polkit_backend_common_reload_scripts (authority);
         }
diff --git a/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendduktapeauthority.c b/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendduktapeauthority.c
index 7c1f207d..3e665c74 100644
--- a/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendduktapeauthority.c
+++ b/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendduktapeauthority.c
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ static void report_error (void     *udata,
 {
     PolkitBackendJsAuthority *authority = udata;
     polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                  LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                   "fatal Duktape JS backend error: %s",
                                   (msg ? msg : "no message"));
 }
@@ -113,6 +114,7 @@ load_scripts (PolkitBackendJsAuthority  *authority)
       GDir *dir = NULL;
 
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE,
                                     "Loading rules from directory %s",
                                     dir_name);
 
@@ -122,6 +124,7 @@ load_scripts (PolkitBackendJsAuthority  *authority)
       if (dir == NULL)
         {
           polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                        LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                         "Error opening rules directory: %s (%s, %d)",
                                         error->message, g_quark_to_string (error->domain), error->code);
           g_clear_error (&error);
@@ -147,9 +150,14 @@ load_scripts (PolkitBackendJsAuthority  *authority)
       if (!execute_script_with_runaway_killer(authority, filename))
           continue;
       num_scripts++;
+      polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                      LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG,
+                                      "Loaded and executed script in file %s",
+                                      filename);
     }
 
   polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE,
                                 "Finished loading, compiling and executing %d rules",
                                 num_scripts);
   g_list_free_full (files, g_free);
@@ -163,6 +171,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_reload_scripts (PolkitBackendJsAuthority *authority)
   duk_set_top (cx, 0);
   if (!duk_get_global_string (cx, "polkit")) {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error deleting old rules, not loading new ones");
       return;
   }
@@ -171,6 +180,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_reload_scripts (PolkitBackendJsAuthority *authority)
   duk_call_prop (cx, 0, 0);
 
   polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE,
                                 "Collecting garbage unconditionally...");
 
   load_scripts (authority);
@@ -596,6 +606,7 @@ runaway_killer_thread_execute_js (gpointer user_data)
 
   if ((pthread_err = pthread_setcanceltype(PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, &oldtype))) {
     polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (ctx->authority),
+                                  LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                   "Error setting thread cancel type: %s",
                                   strerror(pthread_err));
     goto err;
@@ -607,6 +618,7 @@ runaway_killer_thread_execute_js (gpointer user_data)
 
   if (!g_file_load_contents(file, NULL, &contents, &len, NULL, NULL)) {
     polkit_backend_authority_log(POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY(ctx->authority),
+                                 LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                  "Error loading script %s", ctx->filename);
     g_object_unref(file);
     goto err;
@@ -619,6 +631,7 @@ runaway_killer_thread_execute_js (gpointer user_data)
   if (duk_peval_lstring(cx, contents, len) != 0)
   {
     polkit_backend_authority_log(POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY(ctx->authority),
+                                 LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                  "Error compiling script %s: %s", ctx->filename,
                                  duk_safe_to_string(cx, -1));
     duk_pop(cx);
@@ -628,6 +641,7 @@ runaway_killer_thread_execute_js (gpointer user_data)
 
   if ((pthread_err = pthread_mutex_lock(&ctx->mutex))) {
     polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (ctx->authority),
+                                  LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                   "Error locking mutex: %s",
                                   strerror(pthread_err));
     return NULL;
@@ -641,6 +655,7 @@ runaway_killer_thread_execute_js (gpointer user_data)
 err:
   if ((pthread_err = pthread_mutex_lock(&ctx->mutex))) {
     polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (ctx->authority),
+                                  LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                   "Error locking mutex: %s",
                                   strerror(pthread_err));
     return NULL;
@@ -649,12 +664,14 @@ runaway_killer_thread_execute_js (gpointer user_data)
 end:
   if ((pthread_err = pthread_cond_signal(&ctx->cond))) {
     polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (ctx->authority),
+                                  LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                   "Error signaling on condition variable: %s",
                                   strerror(pthread_err));
     ctx->ret = RUNAWAY_KILLER_THREAD_EXIT_STATUS_FAILURE;
   }
   if ((pthread_err = pthread_mutex_unlock(&ctx->mutex))) {
     polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (ctx->authority),
+                                  LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                   "Error unlocking mutex: %s",
                                   strerror(pthread_err));
     ctx->ret = RUNAWAY_KILLER_THREAD_EXIT_STATUS_FAILURE;
@@ -671,6 +688,7 @@ runaway_killer_thread_call_js (gpointer user_data)
 
   if ((pthread_err = pthread_setcanceltype(PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, &oldtype))) {
     polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (ctx->authority),
+                                  LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                   "Error setting thread cancel type: %s",
                                   strerror(pthread_err));
     goto err;
@@ -679,6 +697,7 @@ runaway_killer_thread_call_js (gpointer user_data)
   if (duk_pcall_prop (cx, 0, 2) != DUK_EXEC_SUCCESS)
     {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (ctx->authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error evaluating admin rules: %s",
                                     duk_safe_to_string (cx, -1));
       goto err;
@@ -686,6 +705,7 @@ runaway_killer_thread_call_js (gpointer user_data)
 
   if ((pthread_err = pthread_mutex_lock(&ctx->mutex))) {
     polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (ctx->authority),
+                                  LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                   "Error locking mutex: %s",
                                   strerror(pthread_err));
     return NULL;
@@ -697,6 +717,7 @@ runaway_killer_thread_call_js (gpointer user_data)
 err:
   if ((pthread_err = pthread_mutex_lock(&ctx->mutex))) {
     polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (ctx->authority),
+                                  LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                   "Error locking mutex: %s",
                                   strerror(pthread_err));
     return NULL;
@@ -705,12 +726,14 @@ runaway_killer_thread_call_js (gpointer user_data)
 end:
   if ((pthread_err = pthread_cond_signal(&ctx->cond))) {
     polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (ctx->authority),
+                                  LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                   "Error signaling on condition variable: %s",
                                   strerror(pthread_err));
     ctx->ret = RUNAWAY_KILLER_THREAD_EXIT_STATUS_FAILURE;
   }
   if ((pthread_err = pthread_mutex_unlock(&ctx->mutex))) {
     polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (ctx->authority),
+                                  LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                   "Error unlocking mutex: %s",
                                   strerror(pthread_err));
     ctx->ret = RUNAWAY_KILLER_THREAD_EXIT_STATUS_FAILURE;
@@ -765,6 +788,7 @@ runaway_killer_common(PolkitBackendJsAuthority *authority, RunawayKillerCtx *ctx
 
   if ((pthread_err = pthread_mutex_lock(&ctx->mutex))) {
     polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                  LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                   "Error locking mutex: %s",
                                   strerror(pthread_err));
     goto err_clean_cond;
@@ -772,6 +796,7 @@ runaway_killer_common(PolkitBackendJsAuthority *authority, RunawayKillerCtx *ctx
 
   if (clock_gettime(PK_CLOCK, &abs_time)) {
     polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                  LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                   "Error getting system's monotonic time: %s",
                                   strerror(errno));
     goto err_clean_cond;
@@ -781,6 +806,7 @@ runaway_killer_common(PolkitBackendJsAuthority *authority, RunawayKillerCtx *ctx
   if ((pthread_err = pthread_create(&authority->priv->runaway_killer_thread, NULL,
                                     js_context_cb, ctx))) {
     polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                  LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                   "Error creating runaway JS killer thread: %s",
                                   strerror(pthread_err));
     goto err_clean_cond;
@@ -792,6 +818,7 @@ runaway_killer_common(PolkitBackendJsAuthority *authority, RunawayKillerCtx *ctx
 
       /* Log that we are terminating the script */
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_WARNING,
                                     "Terminating runaway script after %d seconds",
                                     RUNAWAY_KILLER_TIMEOUT);
 
@@ -800,6 +827,7 @@ runaway_killer_common(PolkitBackendJsAuthority *authority, RunawayKillerCtx *ctx
 
   if ((pthread_err = pthread_mutex_unlock(&ctx->mutex))) {
     polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                  LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                   "Error unlocking mutex: %s",
                                   strerror(pthread_err));
     goto err_clean_cond;
@@ -808,6 +836,7 @@ runaway_killer_common(PolkitBackendJsAuthority *authority, RunawayKillerCtx *ctx
   if (cancel) {
     if ((pthread_err = pthread_cancel (authority->priv->runaway_killer_thread))) {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error cancelling runaway JS killer thread: %s",
                                     strerror(pthread_err));
       goto err_clean_cond;
@@ -815,6 +844,7 @@ runaway_killer_common(PolkitBackendJsAuthority *authority, RunawayKillerCtx *ctx
   }
   if ((pthread_err = pthread_join (authority->priv->runaway_killer_thread, NULL))) {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error joining runaway JS killer thread: %s",
                                     strerror(pthread_err));
       goto err_clean_cond;
@@ -884,6 +914,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_js_authority_get_admin_auth_identities (PolkitBackendInter
   duk_set_top (cx, 0);
   if (!duk_get_global_string (cx, "polkit")) {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error deleting old rules, not loading new ones");
       goto out;
   }
@@ -893,6 +924,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_js_authority_get_admin_auth_identities (PolkitBackendInter
   if (!push_action_and_details (cx, action_id, details, &error))
     {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error converting action and details to JS object: %s",
                                     error->message);
       g_clear_error (&error);
@@ -902,6 +934,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_js_authority_get_admin_auth_identities (PolkitBackendInter
   if (!push_subject (cx, subject, user_for_subject, subject_is_local, subject_is_active, &error))
     {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error converting subject to JS object: %s",
                                     error->message);
       g_clear_error (&error);
@@ -924,6 +957,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_js_authority_get_admin_auth_identities (PolkitBackendInter
       if (identity == NULL)
         {
           polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                        LOG_LEVEL_WARNING,
                                         "Identity `%s' is not valid, ignoring: %s",
                                         identity_str, error->message);
           g_clear_error (&error);
@@ -974,6 +1008,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_js_authority_check_authorization_sync (PolkitBackendIntera
   if (!push_action_and_details (cx, action_id, details, &error))
     {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error converting action and details to JS object: %s",
                                     error->message);
       g_clear_error (&error);
@@ -983,6 +1018,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_js_authority_check_authorization_sync (PolkitBackendIntera
   if (!push_subject (cx, subject, user_for_subject, subject_is_local, subject_is_active, &error))
     {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error converting subject to JS object: %s",
                                     error->message);
       g_clear_error (&error);
@@ -1005,6 +1041,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_js_authority_check_authorization_sync (PolkitBackendIntera
   if (!polkit_implicit_authorization_from_string (ret_str, &ret))
     {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_WARNING,
                                     "Returned result `%s' is not valid",
                                     ret_str);
       goto out;
diff --git a/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendinteractiveauthority.c b/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendinteractiveauthority.c
index 2839bb77..972baf45 100644
--- a/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendinteractiveauthority.c
+++ b/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendinteractiveauthority.c
@@ -592,6 +592,7 @@ log_result (PolkitBackendInteractiveAuthority    *authority,
     caller_cmdline = g_strdup ("<unknown>");
 
   polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE,
                                 "%s action %s for %s [%s] owned by %s (check requested by %s [%s])",
                                 log_result_str,
                                 action_id,
@@ -700,6 +701,7 @@ check_authorization_challenge_cb (AuthenticationAgent         *agent,
       if (is_temp)
         {
           polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                        LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE,
                                         "Operator of %s successfully authenticated as %s to gain "
                                         "TEMPORARY authorization for action %s for %s [%s] (owned by %s)",
                                         scope_str,
@@ -712,6 +714,7 @@ check_authorization_challenge_cb (AuthenticationAgent         *agent,
       else
         {
           polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                        LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE,
                                         "Operator of %s successfully authenticated as %s to gain "
                                         "ONE-SHOT authorization for action %s for %s [%s] (owned by %s)",
                                         scope_str,
@@ -725,6 +728,7 @@ check_authorization_challenge_cb (AuthenticationAgent         *agent,
   else
     {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE,
                                     "Operator of %s FAILED to authenticate to gain "
                                     "authorization for action %s for %s [%s] (owned by %s)",
                                     scope_str,
@@ -1972,6 +1976,7 @@ append_property (GString *dest,
   else
     {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error substituting value for property $(%s) when preparing message `%s' for action-id %s",
                                     key,
                                     message,
@@ -2632,6 +2637,7 @@ polkit_backend_interactive_authority_register_authentication_agent (PolkitBacken
            locale);
 
   polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE,
                                 "Registered Authentication Agent for %s "
                                 "(system bus name %s [%s], object path %s, locale %s)",
                                 subject_as_string,
@@ -2789,6 +2795,7 @@ polkit_backend_interactive_authority_unregister_authentication_agent (PolkitBack
            agent->locale);
 
   polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE,
                                 "Unregistered Authentication Agent for %s "
                                 "(system bus name %s, object path %s, locale %s)",
                                 scope_str,
@@ -2941,6 +2948,7 @@ polkit_backend_interactive_authority_system_bus_name_owner_changed (PolkitBacken
                    agent->object_path);
 
           polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                        LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE,
                                         "Unregistered Authentication Agent for %s "
                                         "(system bus name %s, object path %s, locale %s) (disconnected from bus)",
                                         scope_str,
diff --git a/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendjsauthority.cpp b/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendjsauthority.cpp
index 0c783a8e..d8a53ab0 100644
--- a/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendjsauthority.cpp
+++ b/src/polkitbackend/polkitbackendjsauthority.cpp
@@ -163,6 +163,7 @@ static void report_error (JSContext     *cx,
 {
   PolkitBackendJsAuthority *authority = POLKIT_BACKEND_JS_AUTHORITY (JS_GetContextPrivate (cx));
   polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                 "%s:%u: %s",
                                 report->filename ? report->filename : "<no filename>",
                                 (unsigned int) report->lineno,
@@ -193,6 +194,7 @@ load_scripts (PolkitBackendJsAuthority  *authority)
       GDir *dir = NULL;
 
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE,
                                     "Loading rules from directory %s",
                                     dir_name);
 
@@ -202,6 +204,7 @@ load_scripts (PolkitBackendJsAuthority  *authority)
       if (dir == NULL)
         {
           polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                        LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                         "Error opening rules directory: %s (%s, %d)",
                                         error->message, g_quark_to_string (error->domain), error->code);
           g_clear_error (&error);
@@ -231,6 +234,7 @@ load_scripts (PolkitBackendJsAuthority  *authority)
       if (!script)
         {
           polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                        LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                         "Error compiling script %s",
                                         filename);
           continue;
@@ -243,6 +247,7 @@ load_scripts (PolkitBackendJsAuthority  *authority)
                                                &rval))
         {
           polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                        LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                         "Error executing script %s",
                                         filename);
           continue;
@@ -254,6 +259,7 @@ load_scripts (PolkitBackendJsAuthority  *authority)
     }
 
   polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE,
                                 "Finished loading, compiling and executing %d rules",
                                 num_scripts);
   g_list_free_full (files, g_free);
@@ -275,11 +281,13 @@ polkit_backend_common_reload_scripts (PolkitBackendJsAuthority *authority)
                            &rval))
     {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error deleting old rules, not loading new ones");
       return;
     }
 
   polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE,
                                 "Collecting garbage unconditionally...");
   JS_GC (authority->priv->cx);
 
@@ -838,7 +846,7 @@ js_operation_callback (JSContext *cx)
   g_mutex_unlock (&authority->priv->rkt_timeout_pending_mutex);
 
   /* Log that we are terminating the script */
-  polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority), "Terminating runaway script");
+  polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority), LOG_LEVEL_WARNING, "Terminating runaway script");
 
   /* Throw an exception - this way the JS code can ignore the runaway script handling */
   JS_ResetInterruptCallback (authority->priv->cx, TRUE);
@@ -995,6 +1003,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_js_authority_get_admin_auth_identities (PolkitBackendInter
   if (!action_and_details_to_jsval (authority, action_id, details, args[0], &error))
     {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error converting action and details to JS object: %s",
                                     error->message);
       g_clear_error (&error);
@@ -1010,6 +1019,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_js_authority_get_admin_auth_identities (PolkitBackendInter
                          &error))
     {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error converting subject to JS object: %s",
                                     error->message);
       g_clear_error (&error);
@@ -1022,6 +1032,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_js_authority_get_admin_auth_identities (PolkitBackendInter
                                              &rval))
     {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error evaluating admin rules");
       goto out;
     }
@@ -1051,6 +1062,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_js_authority_get_admin_auth_identities (PolkitBackendInter
       if (identity == NULL)
         {
           polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                        LOG_LEVEL_WARNING,
                                         "Identity `%s' is not valid, ignoring (%s)",
                                         identity_str, error->message);
           g_clear_error (&error);
@@ -1098,6 +1110,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_js_authority_check_authorization_sync (PolkitBackendIntera
   if (!action_and_details_to_jsval (authority, action_id, details, args[0], &error))
     {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error converting action and details to JS object: %s",
                                     error->message);
       g_clear_error (&error);
@@ -1113,6 +1126,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_js_authority_check_authorization_sync (PolkitBackendIntera
                          &error))
     {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error converting subject to JS object: %s",
                                     error->message);
       g_clear_error (&error);
@@ -1125,6 +1139,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_js_authority_check_authorization_sync (PolkitBackendIntera
                                              &rval))
     {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_ERROR,
                                     "Error evaluating authorization rules");
       goto out;
     }
@@ -1154,6 +1169,7 @@ polkit_backend_common_js_authority_check_authorization_sync (PolkitBackendIntera
   if (!polkit_implicit_authorization_from_string (ret_str.get(), &ret))
     {
       polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                    LOG_LEVEL_WARNING,
                                     "Returned result `%s' is not valid",
                                     ret_str.get());
       goto out;
diff --git a/src/polkitbackend/polkitd.c b/src/polkitbackend/polkitd.c
index 0da298da..96874472 100644
--- a/src/polkitbackend/polkitd.c
+++ b/src/polkitbackend/polkitd.c
@@ -38,9 +38,12 @@ static GMainLoop              *loop = NULL;
 static gint                    exit_status = EXIT_FAILURE;
 static gboolean                opt_replace = FALSE;
 static gboolean                opt_no_debug = FALSE;
+static gchar                  *opt_log_level = "err";
 static GOptionEntry            opt_entries[] = {
   {"replace", 'r', 0, G_OPTION_ARG_NONE, &opt_replace, "Replace existing daemon", NULL},
-  {"no-debug", 'n', 0, G_OPTION_ARG_NONE, &opt_no_debug, "Don't print debug information", NULL},
+  {"no-debug", 'n', 0, G_OPTION_ARG_NONE, &opt_no_debug, "Don't print debug information to stderr and stdout", NULL},
+  {"log-level", 'l', 0, G_OPTION_ARG_STRING, &opt_log_level, "Set a level of logging (syslog style). Defaults to 'err'.",
+          "[emerg|alert|crit|err|warning|notice|info|debug]"},
   {NULL }
 };
 
@@ -74,6 +77,7 @@ on_name_lost (GDBusConnection *connection,
               gpointer         user_data)
 {
   polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                LOG_LEVEL_WARNING,
                                 "Lost the name org.freedesktop.PolicyKit1 - exiting");
   g_main_loop_quit (loop);
 }
@@ -86,6 +90,7 @@ on_name_acquired (GDBusConnection *connection,
   exit_status = EXIT_SUCCESS;
 
   polkit_backend_authority_log (POLKIT_BACKEND_AUTHORITY (authority),
+                                LOG_LEVEL_NOTICE,
                                 "Acquired the name org.freedesktop.PolicyKit1 on the system bus");
 }
 
@@ -222,6 +227,8 @@ main (int    argc,
   if (g_getenv ("PATH") == NULL)
     g_setenv ("PATH", "/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin", TRUE);
 
+  polkit_backend_authority_set_log_level (opt_log_level);
+
   authority = polkit_backend_authority_get ();
 
   loop = g_main_loop_new (NULL, FALSE);