diff --git a/bot.py b/bot.py
index 127bb1a..db5e13d 100644
--- a/bot.py
+++ b/bot.py
@@ -98,6 +98,13 @@ async def on_ready():
 
     env_cfg = cfg_helper(bot)
 
+    # DEBUG: show what cfg resolves
+    for k in ("mod_channel_id", "modlog_channel_id", "pirates_list_channel_id"):
+        try:
+            print(f"[DEBUG cfg] {k}: str={env_cfg.get(k)} int={env_cfg.int(k, 0)}")
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"[DEBUG cfg] {k}: error={e!r}")
+
     # Per-guild permission sanity checks (env-aware)
     await asyncio.gather(*[_guild_selfcheck(g, env_cfg) for g in bot.guilds])