diff --git a/henson/base.py b/henson/base.py
index 18d5ab8..e045575 100644
--- a/henson/base.py
+++ b/henson/base.py
@@ -205,7 +205,9 @@ def run_forever(self, num_workers=1, loop=None, debug=False):
             # log level was set to something lower than DEBUG, don't
             # change it.
             loop.set_debug(True)
-            self.logger.setLevel(min(self.logger.level, logging.DEBUG))
+            self.logger.setLevel(
+                min(self.logger.getEffectiveLevel(), logging.DEBUG)
+            )
 
         self.logger.debug('application.started')