diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 6cdd3677eb..655de412e9 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1330,6 +1330,7 @@ u-boot.ldr:	u-boot
 # binman
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Use 'make BINMAN_DEBUG=1' to enable debugging
+# Use 'make BINMAN_VERBOSE=3' to set vebosity level
 default_dt := $(if $(DEVICE_TREE),$(DEVICE_TREE),$(CONFIG_DEFAULT_DEVICE_TREE))
 quiet_cmd_binman = BINMAN  $@
 cmd_binman = $(srctree)/tools/binman/binman $(if $(BINMAN_DEBUG),-D) \
diff --git a/tools/binman/README b/tools/binman/README
index a00c902616..45f0a0c2cd 100644
--- a/tools/binman/README
+++ b/tools/binman/README
@@ -637,7 +637,8 @@ Logging
 
 Binman normally operates silently unless there is an error, in which case it
 just displays the error. The -D/--debug option can be used to create a full
-backtrace when errors occur.
+backtrace when errors occur. You can use BINMAN_DEBUG=1 when building to select
+this.
 
 Internally binman logs some output while it is running. This can be displayed
 by increasing the -v/--verbosity from the default of 1:
@@ -649,6 +650,7 @@ by increasing the -v/--verbosity from the default of 1:
    4: detailed information about each operation
    5: debug (all output)
 
+You can use BINMAN_VERBOSE=5 (for example) when building to select this.
 
 Hashing Entries
 ---------------