diff --git a/apps/web/app.js b/apps/web/app.js
index 7198fb6..6eec15b 100644
--- a/apps/web/app.js
+++ b/apps/web/app.js
@@ -232,6 +232,12 @@ async function mountArchivePlayer(name) {
   video.autoplay = true;
   video.muted = false;
   video.playsInline = true;
+  video.addEventListener("error", () => {
+    setHint(
+      "Archive replay bytes are not browser-HLS compatible yet (legacy container); timeline is available, live path is unaffected.",
+      "warn",
+    );
+  });
   mount.appendChild(video);
 
   const archiveUrl = `/api/archive/${encodeURIComponent(name)}/master.m3u8`;