diff --git a/internal/handlers/models.go b/internal/handlers/models.go
index b96b8a9..98aa18b 100644
--- a/internal/handlers/models.go
+++ b/internal/handlers/models.go
@@ -146,10 +146,21 @@ func (h *Handlers) ModelUpdate(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 func (h *Handlers) ModelDelete(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	idStr := r.PathValue("id")
 	id, _ := strconv.ParseInt(idStr, 10, 64)
-	h.Store.ModelDelete(id)
+	if err := h.Store.ModelDelete(id); err != nil {
+		h.renderModelListError(w, "Cannot delete model: it is in use by existing devices.")
+		return
+	}
 	http.Redirect(w, r, "/models", http.StatusSeeOther)
 }
 
+func (h *Handlers) renderModelListError(w http.ResponseWriter, msg string) {
+	list, _ := h.Store.ModelGetAll()
+	if list == nil {
+		list = []models.DeviceModel{}
+	}
+	h.render(w, "model_list.html", ModelListData{Models: list, Error: msg})
+}
+
 func saveUploadedFile(r *http.Request, field, dir string) string {
 	file, header, err := r.FormFile(field)
 	if err != nil {