diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/heartbeat/views.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/heartbeat/views.py
index 22fc15270a..bdba4cf0bc 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/heartbeat/views.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/heartbeat/views.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ Views for verifying the health (heartbeat) of the app.
 """
 
 
+import logging
 import six
 
 from util.json_request import JsonResponse
@@ -10,6 +11,9 @@ from util.json_request import JsonResponse
 from .runchecks import runchecks
 
 
+log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
 def heartbeat(request):
     """
     Simple view that a loadbalancer can check to verify that the app is up. Returns a json doc
@@ -28,4 +32,7 @@ def heartbeat(request):
         status_code = 503
         check_results = {'error': six.text_type(e)}
 
+    if status_code == 503:
+        log.error(u'Heartbeat check failed (%s): %s', status_code, check_results)
+
     return JsonResponse(check_results, status=status_code)