diff --git a/src/services/code-index/manager.ts b/src/services/code-index/manager.ts
index 7002283226..bd782da84c 100644
--- a/src/services/code-index/manager.ts
+++ b/src/services/code-index/manager.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import { CacheManager } from "./cache-manager"
 import fs from "fs/promises"
 import ignore from "ignore"
 import path from "path"
+import { t } from "../../i18n"
 
 export class CodeIndexManager {
 	// --- Singleton Implementation ---
@@ -261,12 +262,16 @@ export class CodeIndexManager {
 		// Validate embedder configuration before proceeding
 		const validationResult = await this._serviceFactory.validateEmbedder(embedder)
 		if (!validationResult.valid) {
-			// Set error state with clear message
-			this._stateManager.setSystemState(
-				"Error",
-				validationResult.error || "Embedder configuration validation failed",
-			)
-			throw new Error(validationResult.error || "Invalid embedder configuration")
+			const errorMessage = validationResult.error || "Embedder configuration validation failed"
+			// Always attempt translation, use original as fallback
+			let translatedMessage = t(errorMessage)
+			// If translation returns a different value (stripped namespace), use original
+			if (translatedMessage !== errorMessage && !translatedMessage.includes(":")) {
+				translatedMessage = errorMessage
+			}
+
+			this._stateManager.setSystemState("Error", translatedMessage)
+			throw new Error(translatedMessage)
 		}
 
 		// (Re)Initialize orchestrator