diff --git a/src/slurmctld/backup.c b/src/slurmctld/backup.c
index ece27daa44fa318dbe413886b1de30bf01bf7f68..c705aab0408ff86a4d0becd30a3afa72a2aab160 100644
--- a/src/slurmctld/backup.c
+++ b/src/slurmctld/backup.c
@@ -359,8 +359,8 @@ static int _background_process_msg(slurm_msg_t * msg)
 			debug3("Ignoring RPC: REQUEST_CONTROL");
 			error_code = ESLURM_DISABLED;
 		} else {
-			error("Invalid RPC received %d from uid %u", 
-			      msg->msg_type, uid);
+			error("Invalid RPC received %d while in standby mode", 
+			      msg->msg_type);
 			error_code = ESLURM_IN_STANDBY_MODE;
 		}
 	}