diff --git a/canvas/src/components/AuditTrailPanel.tsx b/canvas/src/components/AuditTrailPanel.tsx
index 1d20b1bc..fe564e2c 100644
--- a/canvas/src/components/AuditTrailPanel.tsx
+++ b/canvas/src/components/AuditTrailPanel.tsx
@@ -164,7 +164,10 @@ export function AuditTrailPanel({ workspaceId }: Props) {
 
       {/* Error banner */}
       {error && (
-        <div className="mx-4 mt-3 px-3 py-2 bg-red-950/30 border border-red-800/40 rounded text-xs text-bad shrink-0">
+        <div
+          role="alert"
+          className="mx-4 mt-3 px-3 py-2 bg-red-950/30 border border-red-800/40 rounded text-xs text-bad shrink-0"
+        >
           {error}
         </div>
       )}