diff --git a/contrib/abandon_stale.py b/contrib/abandon_stale.py
index cb1cc23e6d..c542e7af07 100755
--- a/contrib/abandon_stale.py
+++ b/contrib/abandon_stale.py
@@ -186,15 +186,18 @@ def _main():
         abandon_message += "\n\n" + options.message
     for change in stale_changes:
         number = change["_number"]
-        try:
-            owner = change["owner"]["name"]
-        except:
-            owner = "Unknown"
+        owner = ""
+        if options.verbose:
+            try:
+                o = change["owner"]["name"]
+            except KeyError:
+                o = "Unknown"
+            owner = " (%s)" % o
         subject = change["subject"]
         if len(subject) > 70:
             subject = subject[:65] + " [...]"
         change_id = change["id"]
-        logging.info("%s (%s): %s", number, owner, subject)
+        logging.info("%s%s: %s", number, owner, subject)
         if options.dry_run:
             continue