diff --git a/drivers/s390/net/claw.h b/drivers/s390/net/claw.h
index 7fbd017..1a89d98 100644
--- a/drivers/s390/net/claw.h
+++ b/drivers/s390/net/claw.h
@@ -114,11 +114,20 @@
 	debug_event(claw_dbf_##name,level,(void*)(addr),len); \
 } while (0)
 
+/* Allow to sort out low debug levels early to avoid wasted sprints */
+static inline int claw_dbf_passes(debug_info_t *dbf_grp, int level)
+{
+	return (level <= dbf_grp->level);
+}
+
 #define CLAW_DBF_TEXT_(level,name,text...) \
-do {                                       \
-	sprintf(debug_buffer, text);  \
-		debug_text_event(claw_dbf_##name,level, debug_buffer);\
-} while (0)
+	do { \
+		if (claw_dbf_passes(claw_dbf_##name, level)) { \
+			sprintf(debug_buffer, text); \
+			debug_text_event(claw_dbf_##name, level, \
+						debug_buffer); \
+		} \
+	} while (0)
 
 /*******************************************************
 *  Define Control Blocks                               *