diff --git a/cli.py b/cli.py
index 6c77afc07a4..6a66595d300 100644
--- a/cli.py
+++ b/cli.py
@@ -10667,7 +10667,8 @@ class HermesCLI:
         if not reqs.get("stt_available", reqs.get("stt_key_set")):
             raise RuntimeError(
                 "Voice mode requires an STT provider for transcription.\n"
-                "Option 1: pip install faster-whisper  (free, local)\n"
+                "Option 1: uv pip install faster-whisper  "
+                "(free, local; `pip install faster-whisper` also works if pip is on PATH)\n"
                 "Option 2: Set GROQ_API_KEY (free tier)\n"
                 "Option 3: Set VOICE_TOOLS_OPENAI_KEY (paid)"
             )
diff --git a/gateway/run.py b/gateway/run.py
index 9525e087507..54dcebda3e6 100644
--- a/gateway/run.py
+++ b/gateway/run.py
@@ -8017,7 +8017,8 @@ class GatewayRunner:
                                 "🎤 I received your voice message but can't transcribe it — "
                                 "no speech-to-text provider is configured.\n\n"
                                 "To enable voice: install faster-whisper "
-                                "(`pip install faster-whisper` in the Hermes venv) "
+                                "(`uv pip install faster-whisper` in the Hermes venv; "
+                                "`pip install faster-whisper` also works if pip is on PATH) "
                                 "and set `stt.enabled: true` in config.yaml, "
                                 "then /restart the gateway."
                             )
diff --git a/tools/voice_mode.py b/tools/voice_mode.py
index df21890db9e..0ba449d87ae 100644
--- a/tools/voice_mode.py
+++ b/tools/voice_mode.py
@@ -1090,7 +1090,8 @@ def check_voice_requirements() -> Dict[str, Any]:
         details_parts.append("STT provider: OK (OpenAI)")
     else:
         details_parts.append(
-            "STT provider: MISSING (pip install faster-whisper, "
+            "STT provider: MISSING (uv pip install faster-whisper — "
+            "`pip install faster-whisper` also works if pip is on PATH, "
             "or set GROQ_API_KEY / VOICE_TOOLS_OPENAI_KEY)"
         )