diff --git a/app/controllers/idv/phone_controller.rb b/app/controllers/idv/phone_controller.rb
index 1e42f0dfd1a..6f8c4a5aaf1 100644
--- a/app/controllers/idv/phone_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/idv/phone_controller.rb
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ def new
     def create
       result = idv_form.submit(step_params)
       analytics.track_event(Analytics::IDV_PHONE_CONFIRMATION_FORM, result.to_h)
+      flash[:error] = result.first_error_message if !result.success?
       return render :new, locals: { gpo_letter_available: gpo_letter_available } if !result.success?
       submit_proofing_attempt
       redirect_to idv_phone_path
diff --git a/spec/controllers/idv/phone_controller_spec.rb b/spec/controllers/idv/phone_controller_spec.rb
index 07c185aad3c..b21227a32cf 100644
--- a/spec/controllers/idv/phone_controller_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/controllers/idv/phone_controller_spec.rb
@@ -141,14 +141,14 @@
       it 'renders #new' do
         put :create, params: { idv_phone_form: { phone: '703' } }
 
-        expect(flash[:warning]).to be_nil
+        expect(flash[:error]).to eq t('errors.messages.must_have_us_country_code')
         expect(response).to render_template(:new)
       end
 
       it 'disallows non-US numbers' do
         put :create, params: { idv_phone_form: { phone: international_phone } }
 
-        expect(flash[:warning]).to be_nil
+        expect(flash[:error]).to eq t('errors.messages.must_have_us_country_code')
         expect(response).to render_template(:new)
       end