diff --git a/firmware/esp32/overland-controller/overland-controller.ino b/firmware/esp32/overland-controller/overland-controller.ino
index f973ef7..252196e 100644
--- a/firmware/esp32/overland-controller/overland-controller.ino
+++ b/firmware/esp32/overland-controller/overland-controller.ino
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ input{width:100%;border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:12px;padding:12px;ba
     </div>
     <div class="topRight">
       <div class="pill weatherBadge" id="weatherBadge" style="display:none">--</div>
-      <div class="pill" id="conn">Connecting...</div>
+      <div class="pill" id="conn">API Connecting...</div>
     </div>
   </div>
 
@@ -579,7 +579,7 @@ async function relay(id,on){
 function render(data){
   data=mergeStatus(window.lastStatus,data);
   window.lastStatus=data;
-  $("conn").textContent="Live";
+  $("conn").textContent="API Live";
   $("conn").className="pill good";
   $("device").textContent=data.config?.device_name||"Overland Controller";
   renderWeatherBadge(data);
@@ -915,7 +915,7 @@ async function load(){
     const r=await fetch(statusUrl(),{cache:"no-store"});
     render(await r.json());
   }catch(e){
-    $("conn").textContent="Offline";
+    $("conn").textContent="API Error";
     $("conn").className="pill bad";
   }
 }
diff --git a/tests/test_http_api_contract.py b/tests/test_http_api_contract.py
index 2418bf9..062196f 100644
--- a/tests/test_http_api_contract.py
+++ b/tests/test_http_api_contract.py
@@ -366,3 +366,12 @@ def test_embedded_webui_config_subtabs():
     assert "config-maintenance" in source
     assert "WiFi / AP" in source
     assert "Maintenance" in source
+
+
+def test_embedded_webui_api_badge_labels_are_clear():
+    source = firmware_source()
+
+    assert "API Connecting..." in source
+    assert "API Live" in source
+    assert "API Error" in source
+    assert 'textContent="Offline"' not in source