diff --git a/wicd/networking.py b/wicd/networking.py
index 5ee9d05..02a659f 100644
--- a/wicd/networking.py
+++ b/wicd/networking.py
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ def expand_script_macros(script, msg, bssid, essid):
     
 class Controller(object):
     """ Parent class for the different interface types. """
-    def __init__(self):
+    def __init__(self, debug=False):
         """ Initialise the class. """
         self.global_dns_1 = None
         self.global_dns_2 = None
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ class Controller(object):
         self.global_search_dom = None
         self._dhcp_client = None
         self._flush_tool = None
-        self._debug = None
+        self._debug = debug
         self._backend = None
         self.connecting_thread = None
         self.before_script = None
@@ -477,9 +477,9 @@ class ConnectThread(threading.Thread):
 class Wireless(Controller):
     """ A wrapper for common wireless interface functions. """
 
-    def __init__(self):
+    def __init__(self, debug=False):
         """ Initialize the class. """
-        Controller.__init__(self)
+        Controller.__init__(self, debug=debug)
         self._wpa_driver = None
         self._wireless_interface = None
         self.wiface = None 
@@ -844,9 +844,9 @@ class WirelessConnectThread(ConnectThread):
 class Wired(Controller):
     """ A wrapper for common wired interface functions. """
 
-    def __init__(self):
+    def __init__(self, debug=False):
         """ Initialise the class. """
-        Controller.__init__(self)
+        Controller.__init__(self, debug=debug)
         self.wpa_driver = None
         self._link_detect = None
         self._wired_interface = None
diff --git a/wicd/wicd-daemon.py b/wicd/wicd-daemon.py
index f0daf91..876c33f 100644
--- a/wicd/wicd-daemon.py
+++ b/wicd/wicd-daemon.py
@@ -79,10 +79,11 @@ class WicdDaemon(dbus.service.Object):
         """ Initializes the daemon DBus object. """
         dbus.service.Object.__init__(self, bus_name=bus_name, 
                                      object_path=object_path)
-        self.wifi = networking.Wireless()
-        self.wired = networking.Wired()
         self.config = ConfigManager(os.path.join(wpath.etc,
                                                  "manager-settings.conf"))
+        self._debug_mode = bool(self.config.get("Settings", "debug_mode"))
+        self.wifi = networking.Wireless(debug=self._debug_mode)
+        self.wired = networking.Wired(debug=self._debug_mode)
         self.wired_bus= WiredDaemon(bus_name, self, wired=self.wired)
         self.wireless_bus = WirelessDaemon(bus_name, self, wifi=self.wifi)
         self.forced_disconnect = False
@@ -274,8 +275,8 @@ class WicdDaemon(dbus.service.Object):
         """ Sets if debugging mode is on or off. """
         self.config.set("Settings", "debug_mode", debug, write=True)
         self.debug_mode = misc.to_bool(debug)
-        self.wifi.debug = self.debug_mode
-        self.wired.debug = self.debug_mode
+        self.wifi.debug = debug
+        self.wired.debug = debug
         self.wireless_bus.debug_mode = debug
         self.wired_bus.debug_mode = debug