diff --git a/log/format.go b/log/format.go
index fb9e3955ed..5cbbe3341e 100644
--- a/log/format.go
+++ b/log/format.go
@@ -126,12 +126,12 @@ func (h *TerminalHandler) logfmt(buf *bytes.Buffer, r slog.Record, color int) {
 // formatValue formats a value for serialization
 func FormatLogfmtValue(value interface{}, term bool) (result string) {
 	if value == nil {
-		return "nil"
+		return "<nil>"
 	}
 	defer func() {
 		if err := recover(); err != nil {
 			if v := reflect.ValueOf(value); v.Kind() == reflect.Ptr && v.IsNil() {
-				result = "nil"
+				result = "<nil>"
 			} else {
 				panic(err)
 			}
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ func FormatLogfmtValue(value interface{}, term bool) (result string) {
 		// Big ints get consumed by the Stringer clause, so we need to handle
 		// them earlier on.
 		if v == nil {
-			return "nil"
+			return "<nil>"
 		}
 		return formatLogfmtBigInt(v)
 
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ func FormatLogfmtValue(value interface{}, term bool) (result string) {
 		// Uint256s get consumed by the Stringer clause, so we need to handle
 		// them earlier on.
 		if v == nil {
-			return "nil"
+			return "<nil>"
 		}
 		return formatLogfmtUint256(v)
 	}
diff --git a/log/handler.go b/log/handler.go
index 1f28f8c264..97f3224511 100644
--- a/log/handler.go
+++ b/log/handler.go
@@ -188,13 +188,13 @@ func builtinReplace(_ []string, attr slog.Attr) slog.Attr {
 		attr = slog.Any(attr.Key, v.Format(timeFormat))
 	case *big.Int:
 		if v == nil {
-			attr.Value = slog.StringValue("nil")
+			attr.Value = slog.StringValue("<nil>")
 		} else {
 			attr.Value = slog.StringValue(v.String())
 		}
 	case *uint256.Int:
 		if v == nil {
-			attr.Value = slog.StringValue("nil")
+			attr.Value = slog.StringValue("<nil>")
 		} else {
 			attr.Value = slog.StringValue(v.Dec())
 		}