diff --git a/lib/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/logger_gl_backend.ex b/lib/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/logger_gl_backend.ex
index 2888f7032..2fc0b6700 100644
--- a/lib/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/logger_gl_backend.ex
+++ b/lib/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/logger_gl_backend.ex
@@ -104,8 +104,12 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.LoggerGLBackend do
   end
 
   defp io_proxy?(pid) do
-    info = Process.info(pid, [:dictionary])
-    info[:dictionary][:"$initial_call"] == {Livebook.Runtime.Evaluator.IOProxy, :init, 1}
+    try do
+      info = Process.info(pid, [:dictionary])
+      info[:dictionary][:"$initial_call"] == {Livebook.Runtime.Evaluator.IOProxy, :init, 1}
+    rescue
+      _ -> false
+    end
   end
 
   def async_io(device, output) when is_pid(device) do
diff --git a/lib/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/runtime_server.ex b/lib/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/runtime_server.ex
index 0f35d6c83..bad20d528 100644
--- a/lib/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/runtime_server.ex
+++ b/lib/livebook/runtime/erl_dist/runtime_server.ex
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ defmodule Livebook.Runtime.ErlDist.RuntimeServer do
           put_in(state.smart_cells[ref], info)
 
         {:error, error} ->
-          Logger.error("failed to start smart cell, reason: #{inspect(error)}")
+          Logger.error("failed to start smart cell - #{Exception.format_exit(error)}")
           state
       end