diff --git a/piker/clearing/_ems.py b/piker/clearing/_ems.py
index 136fbed5..1569429f 100644
--- a/piker/clearing/_ems.py
+++ b/piker/clearing/_ems.py
@@ -56,7 +56,6 @@ from . import _paper_engine as paper
 from ._messages import (
     Order,
     Status,
-    Cancel,
     BrokerdCancel,
     BrokerdOrder,
     # BrokerdOrderAck,
@@ -743,8 +742,7 @@ async def translate_and_relay_brokerd_events(
                     log.warning(f'Rx Ack for closed/unknown order?: {oid}')
                     continue
 
-                req = status_msg.req
-                if req and req.action == 'cancel':
+                if status_msg.cancel_called:
                     # assign newly providerd broker backend request id
                     # and tell broker to cancel immediately
                     status_msg.reqid = reqid
@@ -754,13 +752,12 @@ async def translate_and_relay_brokerd_events(
                     # a client-already-cancelled order request so we
                     # must immediately send a cancel to the brokerd upon
                     # rx of this ACK.
-                    cancel_req = status_msg.req
                     await brokerd_trades_stream.send(
                         BrokerdCancel(
                             oid=oid,
                             reqid=reqid,
                             time_ns=time.time_ns(),
-                            account=cancel_req.account,
+                            account=status_msg.req.account,
                         )
                     )
 
@@ -1055,18 +1052,30 @@ async def process_client_order_cmds(
         status = dark_book._active.get(oid)
 
         match cmd:
-            # existing live-broker order cancel
+            # existing LIVE CANCEL
             case {
                 'action': 'cancel',
                 'oid': oid,
             } if (
                 status
-                and status.resp in ('open', 'pending')
+                and status.resp in (
+                    'open',
+                    'pending',
+                )
             ):
                 reqid = status.reqid
                 order = status.req
-                cancreq = status.req = Cancel(**cmd)
-                cancreq.account = order.account
+
+                # XXX: cancelled-before-ack race case.
+                # This might be a cancel for an order that hasn't been
+                # acked yet by a brokerd (so it's in the midst of being
+                # ``BrokerdAck``ed for submission but we don't have that
+                # confirmation response back yet). Set this client-side
+                # msg state so when the ack does show up (later)
+                # logic in ``translate_and_relay_brokerd_events()`` can
+                # forward the cancel request to the `brokerd` side of
+                # the order flow ASAP.
+                status.cancel_called = True
 
                 # NOTE: cancel response will be relayed back in messages
                 # from corresponding broker
@@ -1084,19 +1093,7 @@ async def process_client_order_cmds(
                         )
                     )
 
-                # else:
-                    # this might be a cancel for an order that hasn't been
-                    # acked yet by a brokerd (so it's in the midst of
-                    # being ACKed for submission but we don't have that
-                    # confirmation yet). In this race case, save the
-                    # client-side cancel request for when
-                    # the ack does show up (later) such that the brokerd
-                    # live-order can be cancelled immediately upon
-                    # reception.
-                    # special case for now..
-                    # status.req = to_brokerd_msg
-
-            # dark trigger cancel
+            # DARK trigger CANCEL
             case {
                 'action': 'cancel',
                 'oid': oid,
@@ -1135,9 +1132,9 @@ async def process_client_order_cmds(
 
             # TODO: eventually we should be receiving
             # this struct on the wire unpacked in a scoped protocol
-            # setup with ``tractor``.
+            # setup with ``tractor`` using ``msgspec``.
 
-            # live order submission
+            # LIVE order REQUEST
             case {
                 'oid': oid,
                 'symbol': fqsn,
@@ -1207,7 +1204,7 @@ async def process_client_order_cmds(
                 # that live order asap.
                 # dark_book._msgflows[oid].maps.insert(0, msg.to_dict())
 
-            # dark-order / alert submission
+            # DARK-order / alert REQUEST
             case {
                 'oid': oid,
                 'symbol': fqsn,
diff --git a/piker/ui/order_mode.py b/piker/ui/order_mode.py
index f6fd7cb3..0b9558d7 100644
--- a/piker/ui/order_mode.py
+++ b/piker/ui/order_mode.py
@@ -1011,7 +1011,8 @@ async def process_trade_msg(
         case Status(resp='canceled'):
             # delete level line from view
             mode.on_cancel(oid)
-            log.cancel(f'Canceled {msg.req["action"]}:{oid}')
+            action = msg.req["action"]
+            log.cancel(f'Canceled {action}:{oid}')
 
         case Status(
             resp='triggered',