diff --git a/awx/main/tasks/system.py b/awx/main/tasks/system.py
index 932c8abe5b..7f9e157d8c 100644
--- a/awx/main/tasks/system.py
+++ b/awx/main/tasks/system.py
@@ -506,10 +506,15 @@ def cluster_node_heartbeat():
 
     if this_inst:
         startup_event = this_inst.is_lost(ref_time=nowtime)
+        last_last_seen = this_inst.last_seen
         this_inst.local_health_check()
         if startup_event and this_inst.capacity != 0:
-            logger.warning('Rejoining the cluster as instance {}.'.format(this_inst.hostname))
+            logger.warning(f'Rejoining the cluster as instance {this_inst.hostname}. Prior last_seen {last_last_seen}')
             return
+        elif not last_last_seen:
+            logger.warning(f'Instance does not have recorded last_seen, updating to {nowtime}')
+        elif (nowtime - last_last_seen) > timedelta(seconds=settings.CLUSTER_NODE_HEARTBEAT_PERIOD + 2):
+            logger.warning(f'Heartbeat skew - interval={(nowtime - last_last_seen).total_seconds():.4f}, expected={settings.CLUSTER_NODE_HEARTBEAT_PERIOD}')
     else:
         if settings.AWX_AUTO_DEPROVISION_INSTANCES:
             (changed, this_inst) = Instance.objects.register(ip_address=os.environ.get('MY_POD_IP'), node_type='control', uuid=settings.SYSTEM_UUID)