diff --git a/app/keystore.py b/app/keystore.py
index 5b2d482..ad5ed28 100644
--- a/app/keystore.py
+++ b/app/keystore.py
@@ -18,6 +18,13 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
+NO_EVENT_RECEIVED_GUIDANCE = (
+    "Radio command channel is unresponsive (no_event_received). Possible causes: "
+    "incompatible firmware for the meshcore_py command interface; or another "
+    "serial/TCP/BLE connectivity error. The app cannot proceed because it cannot "
+    "issue commands to the radio."
+)
+
 # In-memory storage for the private key and derived public key
 _private_key: bytes | None = None
 _public_key: bytes | None = None
@@ -91,8 +98,14 @@ async def export_and_store_private_key(mc: "MeshCore") -> bool:
             )
             return False
         else:
+            reason = result.payload.get("reason") if isinstance(result.payload, dict) else None
+            if result.type == EventType.ERROR and reason == "no_event_received":
+                logger.error("%s Raw response: %s", NO_EVENT_RECEIVED_GUIDANCE, result.payload)
+                raise RuntimeError(NO_EVENT_RECEIVED_GUIDANCE)
             logger.error("Failed to export private key: %s", result.payload)
             return False
+    except RuntimeError:
+        raise
     except Exception as e:
         logger.error("Error exporting private key: %s", e)
         return False
diff --git a/tests/test_keystore.py b/tests/test_keystore.py
index 08ef558..868c370 100644
--- a/tests/test_keystore.py
+++ b/tests/test_keystore.py
@@ -147,6 +147,20 @@ class TestExportAndStorePrivateKey:
         assert result is False
         assert not has_private_key()
 
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_no_event_received_raises_runtime_error(self):
+        """no_event_received indicates command channel failure and should fail setup."""
+        mock_mc = MagicMock()
+        mock_result = MagicMock()
+        mock_result.type = EventType.ERROR
+        mock_result.payload = {"reason": "no_event_received"}
+        mock_mc.commands.export_private_key = AsyncMock(return_value=mock_result)
+
+        with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="cannot proceed"):
+            await export_and_store_private_key(mock_mc)
+
+        assert not has_private_key()
+
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_exception_returns_false(self):
         """Exception during export returns False without storing."""