diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
index 1f3cffed..0183cacd 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ A clear and concise description of what you expected to happen.
 
 If applicable, add screenshots to help explain your problem.
 
-Similarly, if applicable and possible, re-run the command with `PIP_AUDIT_LOGLEVEL=debug` exported,
+Similarly, if applicable and possible, re-run the command with `--verbose`,
 and paste the logs in the code block below:
 
 ```
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 9035293c..3ef0abe1 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -20,6 +20,12 @@ All versions prior to 0.0.9 are untracked.
   `pip-audit` entrypoint
   ([#173](https://github.com/trailofbits/pip-audit/pull/173))
 
+* CLI: The `--verbose` flag has been added, allowing users to receive more
+  more verbose output from `pip-audit`. Supplying the `--verbose` flag
+  overrides the `PIP_AUDIT_LOGLEVEL` environment variable and is equivalent to
+  setting it to `debug`
+  ([#185](https://github.com/trailofbits/pip-audit/pull/185))
+
 ### Changed
 
 * CLI: `pip-audit` now clears its spinner bar from the terminal upon
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 322aa553..3b69d4ec 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ python -m pip_audit --help
 usage: pip-audit [-h] [-V] [-l] [-r REQUIREMENTS] [-f FORMAT] [-s SERVICE]
                  [-d] [-S] [--desc [{on,off,auto}]] [--cache-dir CACHE_DIR]
                  [--progress-spinner {on,off}] [--timeout TIMEOUT]
-                 [--path PATHS]
+                 [--path PATHS] [-v]
 
 audit the Python environment for dependencies with known vulnerabilities
 
@@ -73,6 +73,9 @@ optional arguments:
   --path PATHS          restrict to the specified installation path for
                         auditing packages; this option can be used multiple
                         times (default: [])
+  -v, --verbose         give more output; this setting overrides the
+                        `PIP_AUDIT_LOGLEVEL` variable and is equivalent to
+                        setting it to `debug` (default: False)
 ```
 <!-- @end-pip-audit-help@ -->
 
diff --git a/pip_audit/_cli.py b/pip_audit/_cli.py
index a54b18a8..83aa251b 100644
--- a/pip_audit/_cli.py
+++ b/pip_audit/_cli.py
@@ -226,8 +226,19 @@ def audit() -> None:
         help="restrict to the specified installation path for auditing packages; "
         "this option can be used multiple times",
     )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "-v",
+        "--verbose",
+        dest="verbose",
+        action="store_true",
+        help="give more output; this setting overrides the `PIP_AUDIT_LOGLEVEL` variable and is "
+        "equivalent to setting it to `debug`",
+    )
 
     args = parser.parse_args()
+    if args.verbose:
+        logging.root.setLevel("DEBUG")
+
     logger.debug(f"parsed arguments: {args}")
 
     service = args.vulnerability_service.to_service(args.timeout, args.cache_dir)