diff --git a/channels/channels.go b/channels/channels.go
index 71952aca..9aac1ef1 100644
--- a/channels/channels.go
+++ b/channels/channels.go
@@ -179,8 +179,10 @@ func (c *Channels) CreateNew(selfPeer peer.ID, tid datatransfer.TransferID, base
 		Status: datatransfer.Requested,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
+		log.Errorw("failed to create new tracking channel for data-transfer", "channelID", chid, "err", err)
 		return datatransfer.ChannelID{}, err
 	}
+	log.Debugw("created tracking channel for data-transfer, emitting channel Open event", "channelID", chid)
 	return chid, c.stateMachines.Send(chid, datatransfer.Open)
 }
 
diff --git a/impl/events.go b/impl/events.go
index 13b972ae..dcea7f8f 100644
--- a/impl/events.go
+++ b/impl/events.go
@@ -376,10 +376,13 @@ func (m *manager) acceptRequest(chid datatransfer.ChannelID, incoming datatransf
 		dataReceiver = m.peerID
 	}
 
+	log.Infow("data-transfer request validated, will create & start tracking channel", "channelID", chid, "payloadCid", incoming.BaseCid())
 	_, err = m.channels.CreateNew(m.peerID, incoming.TransferID(), incoming.BaseCid(), stor, voucher, chid.Initiator, dataSender, dataReceiver)
 	if err != nil {
+		log.Errorw("failed to create and start tracking channel", "channelID", chid, "err", err)
 		return result, err
 	}
+	log.Debugw("successfully created and started tracking channel", "channelID", chid)
 	if result != nil {
 		err := m.channels.NewVoucherResult(chid, result)
 		if err != nil {