diff --git a/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/conn.go b/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/conn.go
index 02579f8b55..2de51069c3 100644
--- a/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/conn.go
+++ b/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/conn.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 package ethtest
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"crypto/ecdsa"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
@@ -132,6 +133,31 @@ func (c *Conn) Write(proto Proto, code uint64, msg any) error {
 
 var errDisc error = errors.New("disconnect")
 
+// decodeDisconnect parses a disconnect message payload. Per the RLPx spec the
+// payload is a list containing a single reason, but some implementations
+// (including older geth) sent the reason as a bare byte. Accept both forms.
+func decodeDisconnect(data []byte) (p2p.DiscReason, error) {
+	s := rlp.NewStream(bytes.NewReader(data), uint64(len(data)))
+	k, _, err := s.Kind()
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	var reason p2p.DiscReason
+	if k == rlp.List {
+		if _, err := s.List(); err != nil {
+			return 0, err
+		}
+		if err := s.Decode(&reason); err != nil {
+			return 0, err
+		}
+		return reason, nil
+	}
+	if err := s.Decode(&reason); err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	return reason, nil
+}
+
 // ReadEth reads an Eth sub-protocol wire message.
 func (c *Conn) ReadEth() (any, error) {
 	c.SetReadDeadline(time.Now().Add(timeout))
@@ -343,11 +369,11 @@ loop:
 			}
 			return fmt.Errorf("wrong protocol version: have %v, want %v", msg.ProtocolVersion, c.caps)
 		case discMsg:
-			var msg []p2p.DiscReason
-			if rlp.DecodeBytes(data, &msg); len(msg) == 0 {
-				return errors.New("invalid disconnect message")
+			reason, decErr := decodeDisconnect(data)
+			if decErr != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("invalid disconnect message: %v (raw=0x%x)", decErr, data)
 			}
-			return fmt.Errorf("disconnect received: %v", pretty.Sdump(msg))
+			return fmt.Errorf("disconnect received: %v", reason)
 		case pingMsg:
 			// TODO (renaynay): in the future, this should be an error
 			// (PINGs should not be a response upon fresh connection)
diff --git a/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/conn_test.go b/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/conn_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0b50ca3463
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/conn_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+// Copyright 2026 The go-ethereum Authors
+// This file is part of go-ethereum.
+//
+// go-ethereum is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// go-ethereum is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with go-ethereum. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+package ethtest
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/p2p"
+)
+
+func TestDecodeDisconnect(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		payload []byte
+		want    p2p.DiscReason
+		wantErr bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:    "list form (spec-compliant)",
+			payload: []byte{0xc1, 0x04}, // [4] = TooManyPeers
+			want:    p2p.DiscTooManyPeers,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "list form with reason zero",
+			payload: []byte{0xc1, 0x80}, // [0] = Requested
+			want:    p2p.DiscRequested,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "bare byte form (legacy geth)",
+			payload: []byte{0x04}, // 4 = TooManyPeers
+			want:    p2p.DiscTooManyPeers,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "bare byte form zero",
+			payload: []byte{0x80}, // 0 = Requested
+			want:    p2p.DiscRequested,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "empty payload",
+			payload: []byte{},
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			got, err := decodeDisconnect(tc.payload)
+			if tc.wantErr {
+				if err == nil {
+					t.Fatalf("expected error, got reason=%v", got)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %v", err)
+			}
+			if got != tc.want {
+				t.Fatalf("got reason %v, want %v", got, tc.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}