diff --git a/src/python/m5/main.py b/src/python/m5/main.py
index b4a3472187..a68279b633 100644
--- a/src/python/m5/main.py
+++ b/src/python/m5/main.py
@@ -275,6 +275,13 @@ def parse_options():
         help="Sets the output file for debug. Append '.gz' to the name for it"
         " to be compressed automatically [Default: %default]",
     )
+    option(
+        "--debug-activate",
+        metavar="EXPR[,EXPR]",
+        action="append",
+        split=",",
+        help="Activate EXPR sim objects",
+    )
     option(
         "--debug-ignore",
         metavar="EXPR",
@@ -557,6 +564,10 @@ def main():
 
     trace.output(options.debug_file)
 
+    for activate in options.debug_activate:
+        _check_tracing()
+        trace.activate(activate)
+
     for ignore in options.debug_ignore:
         _check_tracing()
         trace.ignore(ignore)
diff --git a/src/python/m5/trace.py b/src/python/m5/trace.py
index 9603914ca8..759f96e5bf 100644
--- a/src/python/m5/trace.py
+++ b/src/python/m5/trace.py
@@ -25,4 +25,4 @@
 # OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 
 # Export native methods to Python
-from _m5.trace import output, ignore, disable, enable
+from _m5.trace import output, activate, ignore, disable, enable
diff --git a/src/python/pybind11/debug.cc b/src/python/pybind11/debug.cc
index 313ca81e6e..0087ffadd4 100644
--- a/src/python/pybind11/debug.cc
+++ b/src/python/pybind11/debug.cc
@@ -67,6 +67,14 @@ output(const char *filename)
     trace::setDebugLogger(new trace::OstreamLogger(*file_stream->stream()));
 }
 
+static void
+activate(const char *expr)
+{
+    ObjectMatch activate(expr);
+
+    trace::getDebugLogger()->addActivate(activate);
+}
+
 static void
 ignore(const char *expr)
 {
@@ -121,6 +129,7 @@ pybind_init_debug(py::module_ &m_native)
     py::module_ m_trace = m_native.def_submodule("trace");
     m_trace
         .def("output", &output)
+        .def("activate", &activate)
         .def("ignore", &ignore)
         .def("enable", &trace::enable)
         .def("disable", &trace::disable)