diff --git a/hermes_cli/inventory.py b/hermes_cli/inventory.py
index 03964dbc20..83abb891d4 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/inventory.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/inventory.py
@@ -1017,6 +1017,14 @@ def _apply_pricing(
                 # paid models on its first picker open.
                 row["free_tier_pending"] = True
                 row["unavailable_models"] = list(models)
+                # Every model renders locked until the prewarm lands; say why
+                # on the existing per-provider warning surface instead of
+                # leaving the user staring at a greyed-out list.
+                if not row.get("warning"):
+                    row["warning"] = (
+                        "Checking Nous plan entitlement… models unlock on the "
+                        "next picker open (or refresh)."
+                    )
                 continue
         if not raw_pricing:
             if slug == "nous":
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_inventory_pricing.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_inventory_pricing.py
index 0309ff8285..d626593f34 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_inventory_pricing.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_inventory_pricing.py
@@ -170,6 +170,13 @@ def test_cold_nous_entitlement_keeps_models_unselectable(monkeypatch):
 
     assert rows[0]["free_tier_pending"] is True
     assert rows[0]["unavailable_models"] == ["free/model", "paid/model"]
+    # The whole list renders locked — the picker's per-provider warning
+    # surface must say why, without clobbering an existing auth warning.
+    assert "entitlement" in rows[0]["warning"]
+
+    rows = [{"slug": "nous", "models": ["m"], "warning": "paste NOUS_API_KEY to activate"}]
+    inv._apply_pricing(rows, cached_only=True)
+    assert rows[0]["warning"] == "paste NOUS_API_KEY to activate"
 
 
 def test_prewarm_preserves_context_and_runs_once_per_profile(tmp_path, monkeypatch):