diff --git a/cmd/test.go b/cmd/test.go
index 007535ed21..66e4035661 100644
--- a/cmd/test.go
+++ b/cmd/test.go
@@ -116,6 +116,12 @@ The optional "gobench" output format conforms to the Go Benchmark Data Format.
 		if len(args) == 0 {
 			return fmt.Errorf("specify at least one file")
 		}
+
+		// If an --explain flag was set, turn on verbose output
+		if testParams.explain.IsSet() {
+			testParams.verbose = true
+		}
+
 		return nil
 	},
 
diff --git a/util/enumflag.go b/util/enumflag.go
index 02a06a53fc..4796f02696 100644
--- a/util/enumflag.go
+++ b/util/enumflag.go
@@ -41,6 +41,11 @@ func (f *EnumFlag) String() string {
 	return f.vs[f.i]
 }
 
+// IsSet will return true if the EnumFlag has been set.
+func (f *EnumFlag) IsSet() bool {
+	return f.i != -1
+}
+
 // Set sets the enum value. If s is not a valid enum value, an error is
 // returned.
 func (f *EnumFlag) Set(s string) error {
diff --git a/util/enumflag_test.go b/util/enumflag_test.go
index b48a389d2a..569486954c 100644
--- a/util/enumflag_test.go
+++ b/util/enumflag_test.go
@@ -17,6 +17,10 @@ func TestEnumFlag(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("Expected default value to be foo but got: %v", flag.String())
 	}
 
+	if flag.IsSet() {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected IsSet() to be false")
+	}
+
 	if err := flag.Set("bar"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Unexpected error on set: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -25,6 +29,10 @@ func TestEnumFlag(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("Expected value to be bar but got: %v", flag.String())
 	}
 
+	if !flag.IsSet() {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected IsSet() to be true")
+	}
+
 	if !strings.Contains(flag.Type(), "foo,bar,baz") {
 		t.Fatalf("Expected flag type to contain foo,bar,baz but got: %v", flag.Type())
 	}