diff --git a/gateway/pairing.py b/gateway/pairing.py
index d5f7ec6b96..af9ff2fdbf 100644
--- a/gateway/pairing.py
+++ b/gateway/pairing.py
@@ -195,12 +195,23 @@ class PairingStore:
         """
         Approve a pairing code. Adds the user to the approved list.
 
-        Returns {user_id, user_name} on success, None if code is invalid/expired.
+        Returns {user_id, user_name} on success, None if code is
+        invalid/expired OR the platform is currently locked out after
+        ``MAX_FAILED_ATTEMPTS`` failed approvals (#10195). Callers can
+        disambiguate with ``_is_locked_out(platform)``.
         """
         with self._lock:
             self._cleanup_expired(platform)
             code = code.upper().strip()
 
+            # Lockout check — must run before the pending lookup so a
+            # valid code (e.g. one already sitting in pending) cannot be
+            # accepted once the lockout fires. Without this, the lockout
+            # only blocks `generate_code`, not `approve_code` — nullifying
+            # the brute-force protection for any code already issued.
+            if self._is_locked_out(platform):
+                return None
+
             pending = self._load_json(self._pending_path(platform))
             if code not in pending:
                 self._record_failed_attempt(platform)
diff --git a/hermes_cli/pairing.py b/hermes_cli/pairing.py
index 887b7e49ff..101a1d10bc 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/pairing.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/pairing.py
@@ -73,6 +73,24 @@ def _cmd_approve(store, platform: str, code: str):
         display = f"{name} ({uid})" if name else uid
         print(f"\n  Approved! User {display} on {platform} can now use the bot~")
         print("  They'll be recognized automatically on their next message.\n")
+    elif store._is_locked_out(platform):
+        # Disambiguate: approve_code returns None for both invalid codes
+        # and lockout. Tell the operator it's lockout so they don't chase
+        # a "wrong code" rabbit hole (#10195).
+        import time as _time
+        limits = store._load_json(store._rate_limit_path())
+        lockout_until = limits.get(f"_lockout:{platform}", 0)
+        remaining = max(0, int(lockout_until - _time.time()))
+        mins = remaining // 60
+        print(
+            f"\n  Platform '{platform}' is locked out after too many failed "
+            f"approval attempts."
+        )
+        print(f"  Lockout clears in ~{mins} minute(s).")
+        print(
+            "  To reset sooner, delete the '_lockout:{0}' entry from "
+            "~/.hermes/platforms/pairing/_rate_limits.json\n".format(platform)
+        )
     else:
         print(f"\n  Code '{code}' not found or expired for platform '{platform}'.")
         print("  Run 'hermes pairing list' to see pending codes.\n")
diff --git a/tests/gateway/test_pairing.py b/tests/gateway/test_pairing.py
index da14e25269..36e6bda15d 100644
--- a/tests/gateway/test_pairing.py
+++ b/tests/gateway/test_pairing.py
@@ -238,6 +238,42 @@ class TestLockout:
             code = store.generate_code("telegram", "newuser")
         assert code is None
 
+    def test_lockout_blocks_code_approval(self, tmp_path):
+        """Regression guard for #10195: lockout must also gate approve_code.
+
+        Prior to the fix, 5 failed approvals set the lockout flag but
+        approve_code() never consulted it — so any valid code already
+        in `pending` (or a later lucky guess) still got accepted,
+        nullifying the brute-force protection.
+        """
+        with patch("gateway.pairing.PAIRING_DIR", tmp_path):
+            store = PairingStore()
+            # Generate a valid code before triggering the lockout.
+            valid_code = store.generate_code("telegram", "attacker", "Attacker")
+            assert valid_code is not None
+
+            # Trigger the lockout with wrong codes.
+            for _ in range(MAX_FAILED_ATTEMPTS):
+                assert store.approve_code("telegram", "WRONGCODE") is None
+            assert store._is_locked_out("telegram") is True
+
+            # The valid code must be rejected while the lockout is active,
+            # and the user must NOT land in the approved list.
+            result = store.approve_code("telegram", valid_code)
+            assert result is None
+            assert store.is_approved("telegram", "attacker") is False
+
+            # Simulate lockout expiry — the valid code is still in pending
+            # (we didn't pop it) and must now approve normally.
+            limits = store._load_json(store._rate_limit_path())
+            limits["_lockout:telegram"] = time.time() - 1
+            store._save_json(store._rate_limit_path(), limits)
+
+            result = store.approve_code("telegram", valid_code)
+            assert result is not None
+            assert result["user_id"] == "attacker"
+            assert store.is_approved("telegram", "attacker") is True
+
     def test_lockout_expires(self, tmp_path):
         with patch("gateway.pairing.PAIRING_DIR", tmp_path):
             store = PairingStore()