diff --git a/frame/balances/src/lib.rs b/frame/balances/src/lib.rs
index e77b0f5e5d956..fcde46bde89b9 100644
--- a/frame/balances/src/lib.rs
+++ b/frame/balances/src/lib.rs
@@ -730,6 +730,15 @@ pub mod pallet {
 			let existential_deposit = Self::ed();
 
 			let wipeout = new_free < existential_deposit;
+			#[cfg(debug_assertions)]
+			if wipeout && !new_free.is_zero() {
+				log::error!(
+					target: LOG_TARGET,
+					"Attempt to force balance to be {:?} but this is less than ED {:?}",
+					new_free,
+					existential_deposit
+				);
+			}
 			let new_free = if wipeout { Zero::zero() } else { new_free };
 
 			// First we try to modify the account's balance to the forced balance.