diff --git a/test/utils/docker/vcenter-simulator/flask_control.py b/test/utils/docker/vcenter-simulator/flask_control.py
index 2c70d7a230..ff6b7166a7 100755
--- a/test/utils/docker/vcenter-simulator/flask_control.py
+++ b/test/utils/docker/vcenter-simulator/flask_control.py
@@ -41,6 +41,16 @@ def m_index():
     return 'vcsim controller'
 
 
+@app.route('/log')
+def get_log():
+    """Read and return the vcsim log"""
+    fdata = ''
+    if os.path.isfile('vcsim.log'):
+        with open('vcsim.log', 'rb') as f:
+            fdata = f.read()
+    return fdata
+
+
 @app.route('/kill/<int:number>')
 def kill_one(number):
     """Kill any arbitrary process id"""
@@ -133,6 +143,10 @@ def spawn_vcsim():
         '%s:%s' % (hostname, port),
     ]
 
+    # trace soap requests+responses
+    if trace:
+        cmd.append('-trace')
+
     # esx only allows certain arguments
     if request.args.get('esx'):
         cmd.append('-esx')
@@ -151,7 +165,7 @@ def spawn_vcsim():
                 default = request.args.get(name)
             cmd.append('-%s=%s' % (name, default))
     cmd = ' '.join(cmd)
-    cmd += ' 2>&1 > vcsim.log'
+    cmd += ' > vcsim.log 2>&1'
 
     # run it with environment settings
     p = subprocess.Popen(
diff --git a/test/utils/docker/vcenter-simulator/make.sh b/test/utils/docker/vcenter-simulator/make.sh
index 775c29302f..589d949577 100755
--- a/test/utils/docker/vcenter-simulator/make.sh
+++ b/test/utils/docker/vcenter-simulator/make.sh
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
-docker build -t ansible:vcenter-simulator .
+docker build --no-cache -t ansible:vcenter-simulator .