diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index 503071a1..75c8a92d 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 from contextlib import asynccontextmanager as acm
+from functools import partial
 import os
 
 import pytest
@@ -19,6 +20,11 @@ def pytest_addoption(parser):
                      help="Use a practice API account")
 
 
+@pytest.fixture(scope='session')
+def loglevel(request) -> str:
+    return request.config.option.loglevel
+
+
 @pytest.fixture(scope='session')
 def test_config():
     dirname = os.path.dirname
@@ -32,7 +38,10 @@ def test_config():
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='session', autouse=True)
-def confdir(request, test_config):
+def confdir(
+    request,
+    test_config: str,
+):
     '''
     If the `--confdir` flag is not passed use the
     broker config file found in that dir.
@@ -84,6 +93,7 @@ async def _open_test_pikerd(
     async with (
         maybe_open_pikerd(
             registry_addr=reg_addr,
+            loglevel=loglevel,
             **kwargs,
         ) as service_manager,
     ):
@@ -105,9 +115,18 @@ async def _open_test_pikerd(
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
-def open_test_pikerd(request):
+def open_test_pikerd(
+    request,
+    loglevel: str,
+):
 
-    yield _open_test_pikerd
+    yield partial(
+        _open_test_pikerd,
+
+        # bind in level from fixture, which is itself set by
+        # `--ll <value>` cli flag.
+        loglevel=loglevel,
+    )
 
     # TODO: teardown checks such as,
     # - no leaked subprocs or shm buffers
diff --git a/tests/test_feeds.py b/tests/test_feeds.py
index 2b85301f..a79ca861 100644
--- a/tests/test_feeds.py
+++ b/tests/test_feeds.py
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ from piker.data._source import (
 def test_multi_fqsn_feed(
     open_test_pikerd: AsyncContextManager,
     fqsns: set[str],
+    loglevel: str,
     ci_env: bool
 ):
     '''
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ def test_multi_fqsn_feed(
             open_test_pikerd(),
             open_feed(
                 fqsns,
-                loglevel='info',
+                loglevel=loglevel,
 
                 # TODO: ensure throttle rate is applied
                 # limit to at least display's FPS