diff --git a/core/artwork/agent_images.go b/core/artwork/agent_images.go
index 762c2edb5..2f7b5ceef 100644
--- a/core/artwork/agent_images.go
+++ b/core/artwork/agent_images.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/conf"
 	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/consts"
 	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/core/agents"
+	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/log"
 	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/model"
 	"github.com/navidrome/navidrome/utils/str"
 )
@@ -86,6 +87,7 @@ func fetchArtistImage(ctx context.Context, ag *agents.Agents, gate gateFunc, ar
 		}
 		if isTransientExternal(err) {
 			extErr = true // includes errBreakerOpen and download failures: retry via the next agent
+			log.Debug(ctx, "artwork: external artist-image lookup failed", "agent", a.Name, "artist", ar.Name, err)
 		}
 	}
 	return nil, "", extErr
@@ -111,6 +113,7 @@ func fetchAlbumImage(ctx context.Context, ag *agents.Agents, gate gateFunc, al m
 		}
 		if isTransientExternal(err) {
 			extErr = true
+			log.Debug(ctx, "artwork: external album-image lookup failed", "agent", a.Name, "album", al.Name, err)
 		}
 	}
 	return nil, "", extErr