diff --git a/librechat.yaml b/librechat.yaml
index 1982297..0d951c7 100644
--- a/librechat.yaml
+++ b/librechat.yaml
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ modelSpecs:
 # Inference Cooperative branding
 
 interface:
-  customWelcome: "Welcome to your co-op AI."
+  customWelcome: "Welcome to your co-op AI. Your account is already connected to the co-op's gateway, so there is no API key to paste."
   # Tools pinned to the composer bar by default (members can unpin).
   # NOTE: 'mcp' MUST be listed or the Tools button itself gets unpinned by
   # the client's default-pinning seed (hooks chunk gates PIN_MCP_ on this).