Problems writing to event log during execution of custom actions

I have several executables that are run as custom actions during an install. These executables write to the Application event log to so they can be debugged if they fail. The problem I'm running into is that the executables write just fine to the event log when they're run outside the context of an install. However, when they're running as custom actions, the event log shows something like below for the enties they make (I added the *'s just for this question, in the real message they hold the actual data)

The description for Event ID ( 1 ) in Source ( ******* ) cannot be found. The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or message DLL files to display messages from a remote computer. The following information is part of the event: User : ******* successfully deleted.

It looks like the path to the executable that has to be set in the registry when you register the event source may be getting corrupted.

Any help would surely be appreciated!

Rick Richter