diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/OnboardingSeedGenerate.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/OnboardingSeedGenerate.vue
index eb3b8885..3dd5fca0 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/OnboardingSeedGenerate.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/OnboardingSeedGenerate.vue
@@ -274,7 +274,14 @@ async function generateSeed() {
       stopTimers()
       loading.value = false
       waitingForServer.value = false
-      errorMessage.value = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Failed to generate seed'
+      const raw = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Failed to generate seed'
+      // The backend's provisioned-guard refusal is precise but written for
+      // developers ("authenticated system.factory-reset"). Operators hit it
+      // when a node that already has an identity lands on this screen —
+      // translate it into what they can actually do about it.
+      errorMessage.value = raw.startsWith('Not supported: this node is already provisioned')
+        ? 'This node already has an identity, so a new seed cannot be created. Sign in normally — or to start this node over, run a factory reset from Settings first.'
+        : raw
     }
   }
 }