diff --git a/gst/gstpad.c b/gst/gstpad.c
index 08ce6f6ff3..ce7b5d56d2 100644
--- a/gst/gstpad.c
+++ b/gst/gstpad.c
@@ -2686,8 +2686,11 @@ gst_pad_send_event (GstPad *pad, GstEvent *event)
   rpad = GST_PAD_REALIZE (pad);
 
   /* don't send events on usuable pads */
-  if (GST_PAD_IS_SINK (rpad) && !GST_PAD_IS_USABLE (rpad)) 
+  if (GST_PAD_IS_SINK (rpad) && !GST_PAD_IS_USABLE (rpad)) {
+    GST_DEBUG (GST_CAT_EVENT, "pad %s:%s is not usable", 
+	       GST_DEBUG_PAD_NAME (rpad));
     return FALSE;
+  }
 
   if (GST_EVENT_SRC (event) == NULL)
     GST_EVENT_SRC (event) = gst_object_ref (GST_OBJECT (rpad));