diff --git a/ipam/allocate.go b/ipam/allocate.go
index c1dcda66..f2da3c74 100644
--- a/ipam/allocate.go
+++ b/ipam/allocate.go
@@ -44,8 +44,10 @@ func (g *allocate) Try(alloc *Allocator) bool {
 	// out of space
 	donors := alloc.ring.ChoosePeersToAskForSpace(g.r.Start, g.r.End)
 	for _, donor := range donors {
-		alloc.debugln("Decided to ask peer", donor, "for space in range", g.r)
-		if err := alloc.sendSpaceRequest(donor, g.r); err == nil {
+		if err := alloc.sendSpaceRequest(donor, g.r); err != nil {
+			alloc.debugln("Problem asking peer", donor, "for space:", err)
+		} else {
+			alloc.debugln("Decided to ask peer", donor, "for space in range", g.r)
 			break
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/router/gossip_channel.go b/router/gossip_channel.go
index bbc177db..39de093a 100644
--- a/router/gossip_channel.go
+++ b/router/gossip_channel.go
@@ -59,9 +59,11 @@ func (c *GossipChannel) deliverUnicast(srcName PeerName, origPayload []byte, dec
 		return err
 	}
 	if c.ourself.Name != destName {
-		c.relayUnicast(destName, origPayload)
-		// ignore errors in passing on data; a problem between us and destination
-		// is not enough reason to break the connection from the source
+		if err := c.relayUnicast(destName, origPayload); err != nil {
+			// just log errors from relayUnicast; a problem between us and destination
+			// is not enough reason to break the connection from the source
+			c.log(err)
+		}
 		return nil
 	}
 	var payload []byte
@@ -172,9 +174,6 @@ func (c *GossipChannel) relayUnicast(dstPeerName PeerName, buf []byte) (err erro
 	} else {
 		conn.(ProtocolSender).SendProtocolMsg(ProtocolMsg{ProtocolGossipUnicast, buf})
 	}
-	if err != nil {
-		c.log(err)
-	}
 	return err
 }