diff --git a/loggly/handlers.py b/loggly/handlers.py
index d205d0a..48b91ee 100644
--- a/loggly/handlers.py
+++ b/loggly/handlers.py
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ def bg_cb(sess, resp):
 
 
 class HTTPSHandler(logging.Handler):
-    def __init__(self, url, fqdn=False, localname=None, facility=None):
-        logging.Handler.__init__(self)
+    def __init__(self, url, level=logging.DEBUG, fqdn=False, localname=None, facility=None):
+        logging.Handler.__init__(self, level=level)
         self.url = url
         self.fqdn = fqdn
         self.localname = localname