diff --git a/tractor/_rpc.py b/tractor/_rpc.py
index 9b92d4e..f05a433 100644
--- a/tractor/_rpc.py
+++ b/tractor/_rpc.py
@@ -397,12 +397,18 @@ async def _errors_relayed_via_ipc(
                     f'|_{ctx._task}\n'
                     f'  >> {ctx.repr_rpc}\n'
                 )
-            else:
-                log.cancel(
-                    'Failed to de-alloc internal runtime cancel task?\n'
-                    f'|_{ctx._task}\n'
-                    f'  >> {ctx.repr_rpc}\n'
-                )
+            # TODO: remove this right? rn the only non-`is_rpc` cases
+            # are cancellation methods and according the RPC loop eps
+            # for thoses below, nothing is ever registered in
+            # `Actor._rpc_tasks` for those cases.. but should we?
+            #
+            # -[ ] maybe we should have an equiv `Actor._runtime_rpc_tasks`?
+            # else:
+            #     log.cancel(
+            #         'Failed to de-alloc internal runtime cancel task?\n'
+            #         f'|_{ctx._task}\n'
+            #         f'  >> {ctx.repr_rpc}\n'
+            #     )
 
         finally:
             if not actor._rpc_tasks:
diff --git a/tractor/_runtime.py b/tractor/_runtime.py
index 1f81c74..99a969b 100644
--- a/tractor/_runtime.py
+++ b/tractor/_runtime.py
@@ -1256,9 +1256,10 @@ class Actor:
             # - child returns a result before cancel-msg/ctxc-raised
             # - child self raises ctxc before parent send request,
             # - child errors prior to cancel req.
-            log.cancel(
-                'Cancel request invalid, RPC task already completed?\n\n'
-                f'<= canceller: {requesting_uid}\n\n'
+            log.runtime(
+                'Cancel request for invalid RPC task.\n'
+                'The task likely already completed or was never started!\n\n'
+                f'<= canceller: {requesting_uid}\n'
                 f'=> {cid}@{parent_chan.uid}\n'
                 f'  |_{parent_chan}\n'
             )