diff --git a/hooks/scripts/session-context.js b/hooks/scripts/session-context.js
index 116cbb9..4456120 100755
--- a/hooks/scripts/session-context.js
+++ b/hooks/scripts/session-context.js
@@ -123,8 +123,16 @@ async function main() {
   }
 
   if (!config.isConfigured) {
-    // Silently skip if not configured
-    console.log(JSON.stringify({ continue: true }));
+    // Warn once per session instead of failing silently: when the key is unset the
+    // Stop/inject hooks also no-op invisibly, so the user assumes memory works.
+    // SessionStart runs once, so this won't spam.
+    console.log(JSON.stringify({
+      continue: true,
+      systemMessage:
+        '⚠️ EverMem: EVERMEM_API_KEY not set — memory is disabled (nothing saved or ' +
+        'recalled). Set the key in your environment and restart Claude Code; verify ' +
+        'with /evermem:help.'
+    }));
     return;
   }