diff --git a/index.html b/index.html
index 2fdb382..f493b5b 100644
--- a/index.html
+++ b/index.html
@@ -601,6 +601,10 @@
     uploadBtn.disabled = !queue.some(e => e.state === "queued");
   }
   function addFiles(files) {
+    if (!dateSelect.value) {
+      setStatus("Pick a recording date first (top right), then add files.", "err");
+      return;
+    }
     for (const file of files) {
       if (!/\.(mp4|avi)$/i.test(file.name)) continue;
       queue.push({file, state: "queued"});
@@ -657,6 +661,10 @@
   uploadBtn.addEventListener("click", async () => {
     const pending = queue.filter(e => e.state === "queued");
     if (!pending.length) return;
+    if (!dateSelect.value) {
+      setStatus("Pick a recording date first (top right). Upload cancelled.", "err");
+      return;
+    }
     uploadBtn.disabled = true;
     let okCount = 0, done = 0;
     const workers = Array.from({length: Math.min(3, pending.length)}, async () => {