diff --git a/routes/web.php b/routes/web.php
index 5c072c4d..83c68cd2 100644
--- a/routes/web.php
+++ b/routes/web.php
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
 
 Route::fallback(function () {
     return response()->json([
-        'message' => 'This is the FFR API backend. Use /api/v1/* endpoints or check the React frontend.',
+        'message' => 'Not found. The FFR interface is at /dashboard; API endpoints are under /api/v1.',
         'api_base' => '/api/v1',
     ], 404);
 });
diff --git a/tests/Feature/ApiAccessTest.php b/tests/Feature/ApiAccessTest.php
index d4f37cb6..cf5a6042 100644
--- a/tests/Feature/ApiAccessTest.php
+++ b/tests/Feature/ApiAccessTest.php
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ public function test_fallback_route_returns_api_message(): void
         $response = $this->get('/nonexistent-route');
         $response->assertStatus(404);
         $response->assertJson([
-            'message' => 'This is the FFR API backend. Use /api/v1/* endpoints or check the React frontend.',
+            'message' => 'Not found. The FFR interface is at /dashboard; API endpoints are under /api/v1.',
             'api_base' => '/api/v1',
         ]);
     }