diff --git a/beets/util/__init__.py b/beets/util/__init__.py
index bb84aedc7..384609ee6 100644
--- a/beets/util/__init__.py
+++ b/beets/util/__init__.py
@@ -197,6 +197,10 @@ def sorted_walk(path, ignore=(), ignore_hidden=False, logger=None):
         skip = False
         for pat in ignore:
             if fnmatch.fnmatch(base, pat):
+                if logger:
+                    logger.debug(u'ignoring {0} due to ignore rule {1}'.format(
+                        base, pat
+                    ))
                 skip = True
                 break
         if skip:
diff --git a/docs/changelog.rst b/docs/changelog.rst
index e02bebfa2..4122b2f51 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.rst
+++ b/docs/changelog.rst
@@ -204,6 +204,8 @@ Fixes:
   wiping out their beets database.
   Thanks to user: `logan-arens`.
   :bug:`1934`
+* ``beet import`` now logs which files are ignored when in debug mode.
+  :bug:`3764`
 * :doc:`/plugins/bpd`: Fix the transition to next track when in consume mode.
   Thanks to :user:`aereaux`.
   :bug:`3437`