diff --git a/agent/conversation_loop.py b/agent/conversation_loop.py
index fdf65c0755877..93a25e5fba03b 100644
--- a/agent/conversation_loop.py
+++ b/agent/conversation_loop.py
@@ -3434,6 +3434,19 @@ def _stop_spinner():
                         f"⚠️ Tool guardrail halted {decision.tool_name}: {decision.code}"
                     )
                     messages.append({"role": "assistant", "content": final_response})
+                    # Emit the halt message to the client so it's not
+                    # indistinguishable from a crash.  The stream display
+                    # was flushed (callback(None)) before tool execution,
+                    # but the callback is still alive — fire the text
+                    # through it so SSE/TUI clients see the explanation.
+                    if final_response:
+                        agent._safe_print(f"\n{final_response}\n")
+                        if agent.stream_delta_callback:
+                            try:
+                                agent.stream_delta_callback(final_response)
+                                agent.stream_delta_callback(None)
+                            except Exception:
+                                pass
                     break
 
                 # Reset per-turn retry counters after successful tool