[1][2][3] Leptopelis modestus was described in 1898 by Franz Werner, an Austrian zoologist and explorer, based on specimens (syntypes) collected from Cameroon.

[2] The IUCN Red List (2008) also mentions the island of Bioko (Equatorial Guinea) and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, but remarks that the latter likely refers to a (then) undescribed species.

[1] Leptopelis fiziensis from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and western Tanzania was originally included in this species as a subspecies.

[4] Leptopelis modestus occurs in montane forests and secondary brush where it lives around streams in thick vegetation.

[1] It is a common species, but it is impacted by habitat loss caused by human settlements, agriculture, and the collection of wood.