diff --git a/src/gpu/vulkan/SDL_gpu_vulkan.c b/src/gpu/vulkan/SDL_gpu_vulkan.c
index 69db0bd2da..8798d1ee59 100644
--- a/src/gpu/vulkan/SDL_gpu_vulkan.c
+++ b/src/gpu/vulkan/SDL_gpu_vulkan.c
@@ -11774,6 +11774,9 @@ static bool VULKAN_PrepareDriver(SDL_VideoDevice *_this, SDL_PropertiesID props)
 
     renderer = (VulkanRenderer *)SDL_calloc(1, sizeof(*renderer));
     if (renderer) {
+        // This needs to be set early for log filtering
+        renderer->debugMode = SDL_GetBooleanProperty(props, SDL_PROP_GPU_DEVICE_CREATE_DEBUGMODE_BOOLEAN, false);
+
         // Opt out device features (higher compatibility in exchange for reduced functionality)
         renderer->desiredDeviceFeatures.samplerAnisotropy = SDL_GetBooleanProperty(props, SDL_PROP_GPU_DEVICE_CREATE_FEATURE_ANISOTROPY_BOOLEAN, true) ? VK_TRUE : VK_FALSE;
         renderer->desiredDeviceFeatures.depthClamp = SDL_GetBooleanProperty(props, SDL_PROP_GPU_DEVICE_CREATE_FEATURE_DEPTH_CLAMPING_BOOLEAN, true) ? VK_TRUE : VK_FALSE;