diff --git a/ryu/lib/ofctl_utils.py b/ryu/lib/ofctl_utils.py
index a4097f87..89cd5c83 100644
--- a/ryu/lib/ofctl_utils.py
+++ b/ryu/lib/ofctl_utils.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import logging
 import netaddr
 import six
 
+from ryu.lib import dpid
 from ryu.lib import hub
 
 
@@ -229,7 +230,12 @@ def send_msg(dp, msg, logger=None):
     if msg.xid is None:
         dp.set_xid(msg)
 
-    get_logger(logger).debug('Sending message with xid(%x): %s', msg.xid, msg)
+    log = get_logger(logger)
+    # NOTE(jkoelker) Prevent unnecessary string formating by including the
+    #                format rules in the log_msg
+    log_msg = ('Sending message with xid(%x) to '
+               'datapath(' + dpid._DPID_FMT + '): %s')
+    log.debug(log_msg, msg.xid, dp.id, msg)
     dp.send_msg(msg)