diff --git a/lib/bb/build.py b/lib/bb/build.py
index ab8bce3d5..097730047 100644
--- a/lib/bb/build.py
+++ b/lib/bb/build.py
@@ -743,7 +743,7 @@ def _exec_task(fn, task, d, quieterr):
 
         if quieterr:
             if not handled:
-                logger.warning(repr(exc))
+                logger.warning(str(exc))
             event.fire(TaskFailedSilent(task, fn, logfn, localdata), localdata)
         else:
             errprinted = errchk.triggered
@@ -752,7 +752,7 @@ def _exec_task(fn, task, d, quieterr):
             if verboseStdoutLogging or handled:
                 errprinted = True
             if not handled:
-                logger.error(repr(exc))
+                logger.error(str(exc))
             event.fire(TaskFailed(task, fn, logfn, localdata, errprinted), localdata)
         return 1