diff --git a/src/python/pants/option/global_options.py b/src/python/pants/option/global_options.py
index 1a58842c382..fdf0986a1ae 100644
--- a/src/python/pants/option/global_options.py
+++ b/src/python/pants/option/global_options.py
@@ -164,12 +164,7 @@ def register_bootstrap_options(cls, register):
         default_rel_distdir = f"/{default_distdir_name}/"
 
         register(
-            "-l",
-            "--level",
-            type=LogLevel,
-            default=LogLevel.INFO,
-            recursive=True,
-            help="Set the logging level.",
+            "-l", "--level", type=LogLevel, default=LogLevel.INFO, help="Set the logging level.",
         )
 
         register(