diff --git a/optional/clamav/start.py b/optional/clamav/start.py
index d4701d2d..19f91bcf 100755
--- a/optional/clamav/start.py
+++ b/optional/clamav/start.py
@@ -1,12 +1,21 @@
 #!/usr/bin/python3
 
 import os
+import logging as log
+import sys
+
+log.basicConfig(stream=sys.stderr, level=os.environ["LOG_LEVEL"] if "LOG_LEVEL" in os.environ else "WARN")
+logger=log.getLogger(__name__)
 
 # Bootstrap the database if clamav is running for the first time
-os.system("[ -f /data/main.cvd ] || freshclam")
+if not os.path.isfile("/data/main.cvd"):
+    logger.info("Starting primary virus DB download")
+    os.system("freshclam")
 
 # Run the update daemon
+logger.info("Starting the update daemon")
 os.system("freshclam -d -c 6")
 
 # Run clamav
+logger.info("Starting clamav")
 os.system("clamd")