diff --git a/internal/blockchain/ethereum/ethereum.go b/internal/blockchain/ethereum/ethereum.go
index afa3c2c06..5ece3a219 100644
--- a/internal/blockchain/ethereum/ethereum.go
+++ b/internal/blockchain/ethereum/ethereum.go
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ type Ethereum struct {
 	ethconnectConf       config.Section
 	subs                 common.FireflySubscriptions
 	cache                cache.CInterface
+	count                int
 }
 
 type eventStreamWebsocket struct {
@@ -147,6 +148,7 @@ func (e *Ethereum) Init(ctx context.Context, cancelCtx context.CancelFunc, conf
 	e.capabilities = &blockchain.Capabilities{}
 	e.callbacks = common.NewBlockchainCallbacks()
 	e.subs = common.NewFireflySubscriptions()
+	e.count = 0
 
 	if addressResolverConf.GetString(AddressResolverURLTemplate) != "" {
 		// Check if we need to invoke the address resolver (without caching) on every call
@@ -623,8 +625,12 @@ func (e *Ethereum) invokeContractMethod(ctx context.Context, address, signingKey
 		SetBody(body).
 		SetError(&resErr).
 		Post("/")
-	if err != nil || !res.IsSuccess() {
-		return resErr.SubmissionRejected, common.WrapRESTError(ctx, &resErr, res, err, coremsgs.MsgEthConnectorRESTErr)
+	log.L(ctx).Infof("count %d", e.count)
+	if err != nil || !res.IsSuccess() || e.count == 0 {
+		e.count = 1
+		wrapErr := common.WrapRESTError(ctx, &resErr, res, err, coremsgs.MsgEthConnectorRESTErr)
+		log.L(ctx).Errorf("forced ethereum invokeContractMethod: %s", wrapErr)
+		return resErr.SubmissionRejected, wrapErr
 	}
 	return false, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/operations/manager.go b/internal/operations/manager.go
index 27e67c5dc..ccd4b6ec2 100644
--- a/internal/operations/manager.go
+++ b/internal/operations/manager.go
@@ -182,6 +182,8 @@ func (om *operationsManager) RunOperation(ctx context.Context, op *core.Prepared
 			// So this is safe
 			failState = core.OpStatusPending
 			log.L(ctx).Infof("Setting operation %s operation %s status to %s after conflict", op.Type, op.ID, failState)
+			// clear error so we're not infinitely retrying
+			err = nil
 		case phase == core.OpPhaseInitializing && idempotentSubmit:
 			// We haven't submitted the operation yet - so we will reuse the operation if the user retires with the same idempotency key
 			failState = core.OpStatusInitialized
@@ -193,13 +195,17 @@ func (om *operationsManager) RunOperation(ctx context.Context, op *core.Prepared
 			// Ok, we're failed
 			failState = core.OpStatusFailed
 		}
-		om.SubmitOperationUpdate(&core.OperationUpdate{
+		opUpdate := &core.OperationUpdate{
 			NamespacedOpID: op.NamespacedIDString(),
 			Plugin:         op.Plugin,
 			Status:         failState,
-			ErrorMessage:   err.Error(),
 			Output:         outputs,
-		})
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			opUpdate.ErrorMessage = err.Error()
+		}
+
+		om.SubmitOperationUpdate(opUpdate)
 	} else {
 		// No error so move us from "Initialized" to "Pending"
 		newState := core.OpStatusPending