diff --git a/webclient-vue/src/features/areas/pages/AreaDetailPage.vue b/webclient-vue/src/features/areas/pages/AreaDetailPage.vue
index 36eb8e2..4141266 100644
--- a/webclient-vue/src/features/areas/pages/AreaDetailPage.vue
+++ b/webclient-vue/src/features/areas/pages/AreaDetailPage.vue
@@ -32,12 +32,11 @@
       <AreaAssignSection
         :areaId="area.parent_id > 0 ? area.parent_id : null"
         title="Parent area"
-        :emptyMessage="isLastRoot ? 'This is the last root area and must remain unassigned.' : 'This area is not assigned to any parent area.'"
+        emptyMessage="This area is not assigned to any parent area."
         @assign="openAssign"
       >
         <template #action>
           <GnButton
-            v-if="!isLastRoot"
             variant="primary"
             icon="ph-map-pin"
             @click="openAssign"
@@ -101,11 +100,18 @@
       @update:open="showAssignModal = $event"
     >
       <GnSelect
+        v-if="!isLastRoot"
         v-model="selectedAreaId"
         label="Parent area"
         :options="parentAreaOptions"
         icon="ph-map-trifold"
       />
+      <div v-if="isLastRoot" class="form-group">
+        <GnAlert variant="warning">
+          This is the last root area and cannot be assigned as a child.
+          At least one root area must remain.
+        </GnAlert>
+      </div>
       <div v-if="assignError || unassignError" class="form-group">
         <GnAlert variant="danger">{{ assignError || unassignError }}</GnAlert>
       </div>
@@ -121,6 +127,7 @@
           Unassign
         </GnButton>
         <GnButton
+          v-if="!isLastRoot"
           variant="primary"
           icon="ph-check"
           :loading="assignLoading"
@@ -206,7 +213,7 @@
       { label: "Change parent area", icon: "ph-map-pin", onSelect: openAssign },
       { label: "Unassign from parent", icon: "ph-map-pin-slash", onSelect: handleUnassign }
     );
-  } else if (!isLastRoot.value) {
+  } else {
     actions.push({
       label: "Assign to area",
       icon: "ph-map-pin",