diff --git a/subsurface-downloader-main.cpp b/subsurface-downloader-main.cpp
index f5e6abaae..db88e1783 100644
--- a/subsurface-downloader-main.cpp
+++ b/subsurface-downloader-main.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include "core/subsurface-string.h"
 #include "core/file.h"
 #include "core/trip.h"
+#inclide "core/libdivecomputer.h"
 
 #include <QApplication>
 #include <QLoggingCategory>
@@ -44,7 +45,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 	struct device_table devices;
 	struct filter_preset_table presets;
 
-
+	// set a default logfile name for libdivecomputer so we always get a logfile
+	logfile_name = "subsurface-downloader.log";
 
 	const char *default_directory = system_default_directory();
 	const char *default_filename = system_default_filename();