diff --git a/coordinator/backplane.lua b/coordinator/backplane.lua
index cc773db..4d72e3f 100644
--- a/coordinator/backplane.lua
+++ b/coordinator/backplane.lua
@@ -179,12 +179,13 @@ function backplane.init(config, __shared_memory)
         local modem, iface = ppm.get_wireless_modem()
         local wl_nic       = network.nic(modem)
 
-        log.info("BKPLN: WIRELESS PHY_" .. util.trinary(modem, "UP ", "DOWN ") .. iface)
+        log.info("BKPLN: WIRELESS PHY_" .. util.trinary(modem, "UP ", "DOWN") .. (iface or ""))
         log_comms("wireless comms modem " .. util.trinary(modem, "connected", "not found"))
 
         -- set this as active if connected or if both modems are disconnected and this is preferred
         if (modem and _bp.wlan_pref) or not (_bp.act_nic and _bp.act_nic.is_connected()) then
             _bp.act_nic = wl_nic
+            log.info("BKPLN: switched active to preferred wireless")
         end
 
         _bp.wl_nic = wl_nic
diff --git a/reactor-plc/backplane.lua b/reactor-plc/backplane.lua
index 8216dd4..ef2759e 100644
--- a/reactor-plc/backplane.lua
+++ b/reactor-plc/backplane.lua
@@ -59,11 +59,12 @@ function backplane.init(config, __shared_memory)
             local modem, iface = ppm.get_wireless_modem()
             local wl_nic       = network.nic(modem)
 
-            log.info("BKPLN: WIRELESS PHY_" .. util.trinary(modem, "UP ", "DOWN ") .. iface)
+            log.info("BKPLN: WIRELESS PHY_" .. util.trinary(modem, "UP ", "DOWN") .. (iface or ""))
 
             -- set this as active if connected or if both modems are disconnected and this is preferred
             if (modem and _bp.wlan_pref) or not (_bp.act_nic and _bp.act_nic.is_connected()) then
                 _bp.act_nic = wl_nic
+                log.info("BKPLN: switched active to preferred wireless")
             end
 
             _bp.wl_nic = wl_nic
diff --git a/rtu/backplane.lua b/rtu/backplane.lua
index dc30b7a..0d935d0 100644
--- a/rtu/backplane.lua
+++ b/rtu/backplane.lua
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ function backplane.init(config, __shared_memory)
         local modem, iface = ppm.get_wireless_modem()
         local wl_nic       = network.nic(modem)
 
-        log.info("BKPLN: WIRELESS PHY_" .. util.trinary(modem, "UP ", "DOWN ") .. iface)
+        log.info("BKPLN: WIRELESS PHY_" .. util.trinary(modem, "UP ", "DOWN") .. (iface or ""))
 
         -- set this as active if connected or if both modems are disconnected and this is preferred
         if (modem and _bp.wlan_pref) or not (_bp.act_nic and _bp.act_nic.is_connected()) then
diff --git a/supervisor/backplane.lua b/supervisor/backplane.lua
index 7a37b34..58cd55b 100644
--- a/supervisor/backplane.lua
+++ b/supervisor/backplane.lua
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ function backplane.init(config)
         local modem, iface = ppm.get_wireless_modem()
         local wl_nic       = network.nic(modem)
 
-        log.info("BKPLN: WIRELESS PHY_" .. util.trinary(modem, "UP ", "DOWN ") .. iface)
+        log.info("BKPLN: WIRELESS PHY_" .. util.trinary(modem, "UP ", "DOWN") .. (iface or ""))
 
         if not (modem and iface) then
             println("startup> wireless comms modem not found")