diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/util/helpers.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/util/helpers.go
index 32aec2a91fc..ac55cf80a2a 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/util/helpers.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/kubectl/pkg/cmd/util/helpers.go
@@ -89,10 +89,11 @@ func DefaultBehaviorOnFatal() {
 	fatalErrHandler = fatal
 }
 
-// fatal prints the message (if provided) and then exits. If V(6) or greater,
-// klog.Fatal is invoked for extended information.
+// fatal prints the message (if provided) and then exits. If V(99) or greater,
+// klog.Fatal is invoked for extended information. This is intended for maintainer
+// debugging and out of a reasonable range for users.
 func fatal(msg string, code int) {
-	if klog.V(6).Enabled() {
+	if klog.V(99).Enabled() {
 		klog.FatalDepth(2, msg)
 	}
 	if len(msg) > 0 {