diff --git a/templates/organizations/department_inquiry_detail.html b/templates/organizations/department_inquiry_detail.html
index e7c32a0..d0f2d7c 100644
--- a/templates/organizations/department_inquiry_detail.html
+++ b/templates/organizations/department_inquiry_detail.html
@@ -60,6 +60,13 @@
             </select>
         </form>
 
+        {% if inquiry.status == 'in_progress' and inquiry.contact_status == 'not_contacted' %}
+        <span class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-xs text-amber-700 bg-amber-50 border border-amber-200 rounded-lg px-2.5 py-1.5">
+            <i data-lucide="info" class="w-3.5 h-3.5"></i>
+            {% trans "Record a contact outcome above before resolving." %}
+        </span>
+        {% endif %}
+
         {% if inquiry.status == 'in_progress' %}
         <!-- Mark Resolved (requires a patient contact outcome first) -->
         <form method="post" action="{% url 'inquiries:inquiry_change_status' inquiry.pk %}" onsubmit="return confirm('{% filter escapejs %}{% trans "Mark this inquiry as resolved?" %}{% endfilter %}')">