diff --git a/borg/archive.py b/borg/archive.py
index 2829769f2..ba06850c5 100644
--- a/borg/archive.py
+++ b/borg/archive.py
@@ -503,7 +503,10 @@ Number of files: {0.stats.nfiles}
             else:
                 self.hard_links[st.st_ino, st.st_dev] = safe_path
         path_hash = self.key.id_hash(os.path.join(self.cwd, path).encode('utf-8', 'surrogateescape'))
+        first_run = not cache.files
         ids = cache.file_known_and_unchanged(path_hash, st)
+        if first_run:
+            logger.info('processing files')
         chunks = None
         if ids is not None:
             # Make sure all ids are available
diff --git a/borg/cache.py b/borg/cache.py
index e793f0f5d..3fab7cef2 100644
--- a/borg/cache.py
+++ b/borg/cache.py
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ class Cache:
         self.manifest = manifest
         self.path = path or os.path.join(get_cache_dir(), hexlify(repository.id).decode('ascii'))
         self.do_files = do_files
+        logger.info('initializing cache')
         # Warn user before sending data to a never seen before unencrypted repository
         if not os.path.exists(self.path):
             if warn_if_unencrypted and isinstance(key, PlaintextKey):
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ class Cache:
             # Make sure an encrypted repository has not been swapped for an unencrypted repository
             if self.key_type is not None and self.key_type != str(key.TYPE):
                 raise self.EncryptionMethodMismatch()
+            logger.info('synchronizing cache')
             self.sync()
             self.commit()
 
@@ -163,6 +165,7 @@ Chunk index:    {0.total_unique_chunks:20d} {0.total_chunks:20d}""")
     def _read_files(self):
         self.files = {}
         self._newest_mtime = 0
+        logger.info('reading files cache')
         with open(os.path.join(self.path, 'files'), 'rb') as fd:
             u = msgpack.Unpacker(use_list=True)
             while True: