diff --git a/src/namecoin.py b/src/namecoin.py
index 917b77ad..e8af3349 100644
--- a/src/namecoin.py
+++ b/src/namecoin.py
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ def ensureNamecoinOptions():
 
         nmc.close()
     except IOError:
-        logger.error("%s unreadable or missing, Namecoin support deactivated", nmcConfig)
+        logger.warning("%s unreadable or missing, Namecoin support deactivated", nmcConfig)
     except Exception:
         logger.warning("Error processing namecoin.conf", exc_info=True)