diff --git a/src/journal/journalctl.c b/src/journal/journalctl.c
index da4f51021..701518244 100644
--- a/src/journal/journalctl.c
+++ b/src/journal/journalctl.c
@@ -444,9 +444,6 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
         sd_journal *j = NULL;
         unsigned line = 0;
 
-        log_set_max_level(LOG_DEBUG);
-        log_set_target(LOG_TARGET_CONSOLE);
-
         log_parse_environment();
         log_open();
 
diff --git a/src/journal/journald.c b/src/journal/journald.c
index 8d6b3ab43..a25f81ef6 100644
--- a/src/journal/journald.c
+++ b/src/journal/journald.c
@@ -1858,7 +1858,6 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
         }
 
         log_set_target(LOG_TARGET_CONSOLE);
-        log_set_max_level(LOG_DEBUG);
         log_parse_environment();
         log_open();