diff --git a/contexts/VoiceContext.tsx b/contexts/VoiceContext.tsx
index b1a77bc..ddbce9f 100644
--- a/contexts/VoiceContext.tsx
+++ b/contexts/VoiceContext.tsx
@@ -335,10 +335,24 @@ export function VoiceProvider({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
           console.log('[VoiceContext] API request aborted');
           return null;
         }
+
+        // Handle API errors gracefully with voice feedback
         const errorMsg = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Unknown error';
         console.warn('[VoiceContext] API error:', errorMsg);
+
+        // Create user-friendly error message for TTS
+        const spokenError = `Sorry, I encountered an error: ${errorMsg}. Please try again.`;
+
+        // Add error to transcript for chat display
+        addTranscriptEntry('assistant', spokenError);
+
+        // Speak the error message
+        await speak(spokenError);
+
+        // Don't set status to idle - return to listening after speaking error
+        // This keeps the voice session active
+
         setError(errorMsg);
-        setStatus('idle');
         return null;
       }
     },