diff --git a/gaugemqttcontinuous.py b/gaugemqttcontinuous.py
index fac0312..f888d26 100644
--- a/gaugemqttcontinuous.py
+++ b/gaugemqttcontinuous.py
@@ -344,6 +344,7 @@ print(f"DEBUG: initializing NeoPixel on pin {BACKLIGHT_PIN} with {total_backligh
 leds_bl = NeoPixel(Pin(BACKLIGHT_PIN), total_backlight_leds)
 print("DEBUG: NeoPixel initialized")
 
+print("DEBUG: about to init backlight arrays")
 backlight_color = [(0, 0, 0) for _ in range(num_gauges)]
 backlight_brightness = [100 for _ in range(num_gauges)]
 backlight_on = [False for _ in range(num_gauges)]
@@ -357,6 +358,8 @@ _BL_SAVE_DELAY_MS = 5000
 _disco_saved_brightness = [100] * num_gauges
 _disco_saved_color = [[0, 0, 0] for _ in range(num_gauges)]
 
+print("DEBUG: about to define functions")
+
 
 def _flush_backlight(client):
     for i in range(num_gauges):
@@ -471,6 +474,8 @@ _last_mqtt_check = 0
 
 _disco_end_time = 0
 
+print("DEBUG: about to define _publish")
+
 
 def _publish(topic, payload, retain=False):
     """Safely publish MQTT message, returning True on success."""
@@ -635,6 +640,8 @@ def connect_mqtt():
 _mqtt_check_interval_ms = 30000
 _last_mqtt_check = 0
 
+print("DEBUG: about to define check_mqtt")
+
 
 def check_mqtt():
     global client_ref, _mqtt_connected, _last_mqtt_check
@@ -692,6 +699,8 @@ def check_mqtt():
     log_err("MQTT reconnection failed after 3 attempts")
     return False
 
+print("DEBUG: about to define publish_discovery")
+
 
 def publish_discovery(client):
     """Publish all HA MQTT discovery payloads for gauges and LEDs."""