diff --git a/routes/isms.py b/routes/isms.py
index ca34e2a..a6b3126 100644
--- a/routes/isms.py
+++ b/routes/isms.py
@@ -862,11 +862,13 @@ def start_gsm_scan():
 
         # Check for grgsm_scanner
         if not get_grgsm_scanner_path():
+            gsm_running = False
             return jsonify({
                 'status': 'error',
                 'message': 'grgsm_scanner not found. Install gr-gsm package.',
-                'install_hint': 'See setup.sh or install gr-gsm from https://github.com/ptrkrysik/gr-gsm'
-            }), 500
+                'install_hint': 'See setup.sh or install gr-gsm from https://github.com/ptrkrysik/gr-gsm',
+                'grgsm_available': False
+            }), 503
 
         # Get configuration from request
         data = request.get_json() or {}
diff --git a/static/js/modes/isms.js b/static/js/modes/isms.js
index 08e9076..44d21ed 100644
--- a/static/js/modes/isms.js
+++ b/static/js/modes/isms.js
@@ -798,7 +798,18 @@ async function ismsStartGsmScan() {
 
             ismsNotify('ISMS', `GSM scan started on ${band}`);
         } else {
-            ismsNotify('ISMS Error', data.message || 'Failed to start GSM scan');
+            // Update status display with error
+            const statusText = document.getElementById('ismsGsmStatusText');
+            if (statusText) {
+                statusText.textContent = 'Not Available';
+                statusText.style.color = 'var(--accent-red)';
+            }
+
+            if (data.grgsm_available === false) {
+                ismsNotify('ISMS', 'gr-gsm not installed. GSM scanning requires grgsm_scanner.');
+            } else {
+                ismsNotify('ISMS Error', data.message || 'Failed to start GSM scan');
+            }
         }
     } catch (e) {
         ismsNotify('ISMS Error', 'Failed to start GSM scan: ' + e.message);