diff --git a/python/robomp/src/host_tools.py b/python/robomp/src/host_tools.py
index a2239afac..ccc9c3b30 100644
--- a/python/robomp/src/host_tools.py
+++ b/python/robomp/src/host_tools.py
@@ -143,6 +143,10 @@ def _issue_needs_info(bindings: ToolBindings) -> bool:
     return row is not None and row.state == "needs_info"
 
 
+def _optional_label_error(exc: Exception) -> str:
+    return f"{type(exc).__name__}: {exc}"
+
+
 def _remove_needs_info_label(bindings: ToolBindings) -> bool:
     try:
         _run_coro(
@@ -154,6 +158,12 @@ def _remove_needs_info_label(bindings: ToolBindings) -> bool:
             return True
         log.warning("needs-info label cleanup failed", extra={"issue": bindings.issue_key, "err": str(exc)})
         return False
+    except Exception as exc:  # noqa: BLE001 - best-effort optional label cleanup
+        log.warning(
+            "needs-info label cleanup failed",
+            extra={"issue": bindings.issue_key, "err": _optional_label_error(exc)},
+        )
+        return False
     return True
 
 
@@ -934,6 +944,10 @@ def _build_mark_unable(bindings: ToolBindings) -> HostTool[Any, Any]:
             # info-request comment, so label setup must not block resumption.
             log.warning("needs-info label failed", extra={"issue": bindings.issue_key, "err": str(exc)})
             result["label_error"] = f"{exc.status} {exc.message}"
+        except Exception as exc:  # noqa: BLE001 - best-effort optional label setup
+            error = _optional_label_error(exc)
+            log.warning("needs-info label failed", extra={"issue": bindings.issue_key, "err": error})
+            result["label_error"] = error
         bindings.db.set_issue_state(bindings.issue_key, "needs_info")
         _audit(bindings, "mark_unable_to_reproduce", args, result=result)
         return f"posted needs-info comment id={comment.id}"
diff --git a/python/robomp/tests/test_host_tools.py b/python/robomp/tests/test_host_tools.py
index 708796d49..cbfb45363 100644
--- a/python/robomp/tests/test_host_tools.py
+++ b/python/robomp/tests/test_host_tools.py
@@ -437,6 +437,31 @@ def test_repro_record_advances_needs_info_when_label_is_missing(db: Database, tm
     assert issue and issue.state == "reproducing"
 
 
+def test_repro_record_advances_needs_info_when_cleanup_transport_fails(db: Database, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+    def handler(request: httpx.Request) -> httpx.Response:
+        raise httpx.ConnectError("connection dropped", request=request)
+
+    bindings, loop, t = _bindings(db, tmp_path, httpx.MockTransport(handler))
+    db.set_issue_state(bindings.issue_key, "needs_info")
+    try:
+        tool = next(x for x in build(bindings) if x.name == "repro_record")
+        result = tool.execute(
+            {
+                "title": "panic on empty input",
+                "command": "bun test foo.test.ts",
+                "output": "Error: boom",
+                "exit_code": 1,
+            },
+            _ctx(),
+        )
+    finally:
+        _stop_loop(loop, t)
+
+    assert result == "recorded"
+    issue = db.get_issue(bindings.issue_key)
+    assert issue and issue.state == "reproducing"
+
+
 def test_repro_record_chowns_to_slot_when_root(db: Database, tmp_path: Path, monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> None:
     chowns: list[tuple[Path, int, int]] = []
     monkeypatch.setattr(host_tools, "_slot_permissions_active", lambda slot_uid: slot_uid is not None)
@@ -519,6 +544,34 @@ def test_mark_unable_keeps_needs_info_when_label_is_missing(db: Database, tmp_pa
     assert issue and issue.state == "needs_info"
 
 
+def test_mark_unable_keeps_needs_info_when_label_transport_fails(db: Database, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+    comments = 0
+
+    def handler(request: httpx.Request) -> httpx.Response:
+        nonlocal comments
+        if request.url.path.endswith("/labels"):
+            raise httpx.ConnectError("connection dropped", request=request)
+        comments += 1
+        return httpx.Response(201, json={"id": 321, "user": {"login": "robomp-bot"}, "body": "x", "created_at": "t"})
+
+    bindings, loop, t = _bindings(db, tmp_path, httpx.MockTransport(handler))
+    try:
+        tool = next(x for x in build(bindings) if x.name == "mark_unable_to_reproduce")
+        tool.execute({"diagnosis": "needed exact version", "info_needed": "post bun --version"}, _ctx())
+    finally:
+        _stop_loop(loop, t)
+
+    assert comments == 1
+    issue = db.get_issue(bindings.issue_key)
+    assert issue and issue.state == "needs_info"
+    row = db._conn.execute(
+        "SELECT result_json FROM tool_calls WHERE tool='mark_unable_to_reproduce' ORDER BY id DESC LIMIT 1"
+    ).fetchone()
+    assert row is not None
+    result = json.loads(row["result_json"])
+    assert "ConnectError" in result["label_error"]
+
+
 def test_abort_task_signals_controller_and_abandons_without_comment(db: Database, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
     # Any HTTP call is a regression: abort_task MUST NOT touch GitHub.
     def handler(request: httpx.Request) -> httpx.Response: