diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/audit/AuditComponent.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/audit/AuditComponent.java
index 35a9aff437..3e79890de9 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/audit/AuditComponent.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/audit/AuditComponent.java
@@ -93,9 +93,9 @@ public interface AuditComponent
     public boolean areAuditValuesRequired();
     
     /**
-     * Determine whether there are any audit applications registered to record data for the given
-     * path.  This helper method gives data producers a shortcut in the event that nothing would
-     * be recorded in any event.
+     * Determines if audit values are required based on whether there are any audit applications
+     * registered to record data for the given path. This helper method gives data producers a 
+     * shortcut in the event that nothing would be recorded in any event.
      * 
      * @param path              the audit path
      * @return                  Returns <tt>true</tt> if there is at least one audit application
diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/audit/AuditComponentImpl.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/audit/AuditComponentImpl.java
index 502ea9072b..6ceee76100 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/audit/AuditComponentImpl.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/audit/AuditComponentImpl.java
@@ -263,6 +263,10 @@ public class AuditComponentImpl implements AuditComponent
 
     /**
      * {@inheritDoc}
+     * <p/>
+     * Note that if DEBUG is on for the the {@link #INBOUND_LOGGER}, then <tt>true</tt>
+     * will always be returned.
+     * 
      * @since 3.4
      */
     @Override
@@ -270,7 +274,7 @@ public class AuditComponentImpl implements AuditComponent
     {
         PathMapper pathMapper = auditModelRegistry.getAuditPathMapper();
         Set<String> mappedPaths = pathMapper.getMappedPathsWithPartialMatch(path);
-        return mappedPaths.size() > 0;
+        return loggerInbound.isDebugEnabled() || mappedPaths.size() > 0;
     }
 
     /**