diff --git a/probe/main.go b/probe/main.go
index a43b99a84..aedf73404 100644
--- a/probe/main.go
+++ b/probe/main.go
@@ -186,6 +186,7 @@ func main() {
 				r = report.MakeReport()
 
 			case <-spyTick:
+				start := time.Now()
 				if err := processCache.Update(); err != nil {
 					log.Printf("error reading processes: %v", err)
 				}
@@ -198,6 +199,10 @@ func main() {
 				}
 				r = Apply(r, taggers)
 
+				if took := time.Since(start); took > *spyInterval {
+					log.Printf("report generation took too long (%s)", took)
+				}
+
 			case <-quit:
 				return
 			}