diff --git a/veilid-core/src/network_manager/send_data.rs b/veilid-core/src/network_manager/send_data.rs
index 9a8ea1e1..59ae1c7e 100644
--- a/veilid-core/src/network_manager/send_data.rs
+++ b/veilid-core/src/network_manager/send_data.rs
@@ -39,14 +39,23 @@ impl NetworkManager {
 
                 // Try the contact method
                 let sdk = match contact_method {
-                    NodeContactMethod::OutboundRelay(relay_nr)
+                    NodeContactMethod::OutboundRelay(relay_nr) => {
+                        // Relay loop or multiple relays
+                        bail!(
+                            "Outbound relay loop or multiple relays detected: destination {} resolved to target {} via extraneous relay {}",
+                            destination_node_ref,
+                            target_node_ref,
+                            relay_nr,
+                        );
+                
+                    }
                     | NodeContactMethod::InboundRelay(relay_nr) => {
                         // Relay loop or multiple relays
                         bail!(
-                            "Relay loop or multiple relays detected: destination {} resolved to target {} via extraneous relay {}",
+                            "Inbound relay loop or multiple relays detected: destination {} resolved to target {} via extraneous relay {}",
                             destination_node_ref,
                             target_node_ref,
-                            relay_nr
+                            relay_nr,
                         );
                     }
                     NodeContactMethod::Direct(dial_info) => {
diff --git a/veilid-core/src/routing_table/routing_domains.rs b/veilid-core/src/routing_table/routing_domains.rs
index b1d0b97a..04a9a2cf 100644
--- a/veilid-core/src/routing_table/routing_domains.rs
+++ b/veilid-core/src/routing_table/routing_domains.rs
@@ -422,7 +422,10 @@ impl RoutingDomainDetail for PublicInternetRoutingDomainDetail {
 
         // If node A can't reach the node by other means, it may need to use its own relay
         if let Some(node_a_relay_id) = peer_a.signed_node_info().relay_ids().get(best_ck) {
-            return ContactMethod::OutboundRelay(node_a_relay_id);
+            // Ensure it's not our relay we're trying to reach
+            if node_a_relay_id != node_b_id {
+                return ContactMethod::OutboundRelay(node_a_relay_id);
+            }
         }
 
         ContactMethod::Unreachable