diff --git a/libifupdown/lifecycle.c b/libifupdown/lifecycle.c
index d2a32e3..58127e2 100644
--- a/libifupdown/lifecycle.c
+++ b/libifupdown/lifecycle.c
@@ -255,7 +255,11 @@ handle_dependents(const struct lif_execute_opts *opts, struct lif_interface *par
 
 		/* already up or down, skip */
 		if (up == iface->is_up)
+		{
+			fprintf(stderr, "ifupdown: skipping dependent interface %s (of %s)\n",
+				iface->ifname, parent->ifname);
 			continue;
+		}
 
 		if (opts->verbose)
 			fprintf(stderr, "ifupdown: changing state of dependent interface %s (of %s) to %s\n",