diff --git a/doc/releaseNotes.md b/doc/releaseNotes.md
index 60402c3..10aa861 100644
--- a/doc/releaseNotes.md
+++ b/doc/releaseNotes.md
@@ -642,3 +642,6 @@ This file describes the main feature changes for each readout.exe released versi
 
 ## v2.26.1 - 20/08/2024
 - Fixed missing details in "invalid RDH" log messages.
+
+## v2.26.2 - 18/10/2024
+- Fixed spurious fatal log message when stopping a readout process by system signal (when running outside of ECS control, e.g. CTP readout server).
diff --git a/src/ReadoutVersion.h b/src/ReadoutVersion.h
index 1e035ba..5c2909b 100644
--- a/src/ReadoutVersion.h
+++ b/src/ReadoutVersion.h
@@ -9,5 +9,5 @@
 // granted to it by virtue of its status as an Intergovernmental Organization
 // or submit itself to any jurisdiction.
 
-#define READOUT_VERSION "2.26.1"
+#define READOUT_VERSION "2.26.2"
 
diff --git a/src/mainReadout.cxx b/src/mainReadout.cxx
index 97eb794..374e787 100644
--- a/src/mainReadout.cxx
+++ b/src/mainReadout.cxx
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ class Readout
   }
 
   // Wrapper function to catch exception and report fatal errors
-  int executeFunction(std::string actionName, std::function<int()> f) {
+  int executeFunction(std::string actionName, std::function<int()> f, int plusZeroIsFatal = 1, int minusZeroIsFatal = 1) {
     // theLog.log(LogDebugDevel, "Calling function for %s",actionName.c_str());
     int err = -1;
     try {
@@ -326,7 +326,7 @@ class Readout
     catch (const std::exception& e) {
       theLog.log(LogErrorSupport_(3245), "Exception : %s", e.what());
     }
-    if (err) {
+    if ( ((err<0)&&(minusZeroIsFatal)) || ((err>0)&&(plusZeroIsFatal)) ) {
       std::vector<std::string> m;
       theLog.historyGetSummary(m);
       std::string reason = "Readout failed in " + actionName + ". Please check previous messages.";
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ class Readout
     return executeFunction("STOP", std::bind(&Readout::_stop, this));
   }
   int iterateRunning() {
-    return executeFunction("RUNNING", std::bind(&Readout::_iterateRunning, this));
+    return executeFunction("RUNNING", std::bind(&Readout::_iterateRunning, this), 0, 1); // special handling of positive error code: not fatal
   }
   int iterateCheck() {
     return executeFunction("CHECK", std::bind(&Readout::_iterateCheck, this));