diff --git a/lib/bb/ui/knotty.py b/lib/bb/ui/knotty.py
index 15025e8dd..185c7f307 100644
--- a/lib/bb/ui/knotty.py
+++ b/lib/bb/ui/knotty.py
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ class TerminalFilter(object):
             return "%ds" % (sec)
 
     def keepAlive(self, t):
-        if not self.cuu:
+        if not self.cuu and self.quiet <= 2:
             msgbuf = ["Bitbake still alive (no events for %ds). Active tasks:" % t]
             for t in self.helper.running_tasks:
                 msgbuf.append(str(t))