diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/location/LocationManagerService.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/location/LocationManagerService.java
index 6deb19a536290..fd0b9454cfc1b 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/location/LocationManagerService.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/location/LocationManagerService.java
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ import android.location.provider.IProviderRequestListener;
 import android.location.provider.ProviderProperties;
 import android.location.util.identity.CallerIdentity;
 import android.os.Binder;
+import android.os.Build;
 import android.os.Bundle;
 import android.os.ICancellationSignal;
 import android.os.ParcelFileDescriptor;
@@ -350,6 +351,22 @@ public class LocationManagerService extends ILocationManager.Stub {
     void onSystemReady() {
         mInjector.getSettingsHelper().addOnLocationEnabledChangedListener(
                 this::onLocationModeChanged);
+
+        if (Build.IS_DEBUGGABLE) {
+            // on debug builds, watch for location noteOps while location is off. there are some
+            // scenarios (emergency location) where this is expected, but generally this should
+            // rarely occur, and may indicate bugs. dump occurrences to logs for further evaluation
+            AppOpsManager appOps = Objects.requireNonNull(
+                    mContext.getSystemService(AppOpsManager.class));
+            appOps.startWatchingNoted(
+                    new int[]{AppOpsManager.OP_FINE_LOCATION, AppOpsManager.OP_COARSE_LOCATION},
+                    (code, uid, packageName, attributionTag, flags, result) -> {
+                        if (!isLocationEnabledForUser(UserHandle.getUserId(uid))) {
+                            Log.w(TAG, "location noteOp with location off - "
+                                    + CallerIdentity.forTest(uid, 0, packageName, attributionTag));
+                        }
+                    });
+        }
     }
 
     void onSystemThirdPartyAppsCanStart() {