diff --git a/src/components/clients/contact-picker-popover.tsx b/src/components/clients/contact-picker-popover.tsx
index c75301f..e3072d3 100644
--- a/src/components/clients/contact-picker-popover.tsx
+++ b/src/components/clients/contact-picker-popover.tsx
@@ -91,7 +91,9 @@ export function ContactPickerPopover({
           </div>
         </div>
         <div className="max-h-72 overflow-auto">
-          {filtered.length === 0 ? (
+          {loading ? (
+            <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground p-3">Searching…</p>
+          ) : filtered.length === 0 ? (
             <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground p-3">No matching contacts.</p>
           ) : (
             <ul className="divide-y">