diff --git a/backend/igny8_core/ai/ai_core.py b/backend/igny8_core/ai/ai_core.py
index f8f17e4f..f76f3e6b 100644
--- a/backend/igny8_core/ai/ai_core.py
+++ b/backend/igny8_core/ai/ai_core.py
@@ -58,8 +58,17 @@ class AICore:
                 if openai_settings and openai_settings.config:
                     self._openai_api_key = openai_settings.config.get('apiKey')
                     model = openai_settings.config.get('model')
-                    if model and model in MODEL_RATES:
-                        self._default_model = model
+                    if model:
+                        if model in MODEL_RATES:
+                            self._default_model = model
+                            logger.info(f"Loaded model '{model}' from IntegrationSettings for account {self.account.id}")
+                        else:
+                            error_msg = f"Model '{model}' from IntegrationSettings is not in supported models list. Supported models: {list(MODEL_RATES.keys())}"
+                            logger.error(f"[AICore] {error_msg}")
+                            logger.error(f"[AICore] Account {self.account.id} has invalid model configuration. Please update Integration Settings.")
+                            # Don't set _default_model, will fall back to Django settings
+                    else:
+                        logger.warning(f"No model configured in IntegrationSettings for account {self.account.id}, will use fallback")
                 
                 # Load Runware settings
                 runware_settings = IntegrationSettings.objects.filter(
@@ -148,6 +157,38 @@ class AICore:
         
         # Step 2: Determine model
         active_model = model or self._default_model
+        
+        # Validate model is available and supported
+        if not active_model:
+            error_msg = 'No AI model configured. Please configure a model in Integration Settings or Django settings.'
+            logger.error(f"[AICore] {error_msg}")
+            tracker.error('ConfigurationError', error_msg)
+            return {
+                'content': None,
+                'error': error_msg,
+                'input_tokens': 0,
+                'output_tokens': 0,
+                'total_tokens': 0,
+                'model': None,
+                'cost': 0.0,
+                'api_id': None,
+            }
+        
+        if active_model not in MODEL_RATES:
+            error_msg = f"Model '{active_model}' is not supported. Supported models: {list(MODEL_RATES.keys())}"
+            logger.error(f"[AICore] {error_msg}")
+            tracker.error('ConfigurationError', error_msg)
+            return {
+                'content': None,
+                'error': error_msg,
+                'input_tokens': 0,
+                'output_tokens': 0,
+                'total_tokens': 0,
+                'model': active_model,
+                'cost': 0.0,
+                'api_id': None,
+            }
+        
         tracker.ai_call(f"Using model: {active_model}")
         
         # Step 3: Auto-enable JSON mode for supported models
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/useProgressModal.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/useProgressModal.ts
index 0e7645a7..9f512de1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/hooks/useProgressModal.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/useProgressModal.ts
@@ -232,6 +232,57 @@ export function useProgressModal(): UseProgressModalReturn {
           `/v1/system/settings/task_progress/${taskId}/`
         );
 
+        // Helper function to start auto-increment progress (1% every 300ms until 80%)
+        const startAutoIncrement = () => {
+          // Clear any existing auto-increment interval
+          if (autoIncrementIntervalRef.current) {
+            clearInterval(autoIncrementIntervalRef.current);
+            autoIncrementIntervalRef.current = null;
+          }
+          
+          // Only start if we're below 80%
+          if (displayedPercentageRef.current < 80) {
+            autoIncrementIntervalRef.current = setInterval(() => {
+              setProgress(prev => {
+                // Check current status - stop if not processing
+                if (prev.status !== 'processing') {
+                  if (autoIncrementIntervalRef.current) {
+                    clearInterval(autoIncrementIntervalRef.current);
+                    autoIncrementIntervalRef.current = null;
+                  }
+                  return prev;
+                }
+                
+                const current = displayedPercentageRef.current;
+                if (current < 80) {
+                  const newPercentage = Math.min(current + 1, 80);
+                  displayedPercentageRef.current = newPercentage;
+                  
+                  // Stop if we've reached 80%
+                  if (newPercentage >= 80) {
+                    if (autoIncrementIntervalRef.current) {
+                      clearInterval(autoIncrementIntervalRef.current);
+                      autoIncrementIntervalRef.current = null;
+                    }
+                  }
+                  
+                  return {
+                    ...prev,
+                    percentage: newPercentage,
+                  };
+                } else {
+                  // Stop if we've reached 80%
+                  if (autoIncrementIntervalRef.current) {
+                    clearInterval(autoIncrementIntervalRef.current);
+                    autoIncrementIntervalRef.current = null;
+                  }
+                  return prev;
+                }
+              });
+            }, 300);
+          }
+        };
+
         if (response.state === 'PROGRESS') {
           const meta = response.meta || {};
           
@@ -404,57 +455,6 @@ export function useProgressModal(): UseProgressModalReturn {
             startAutoIncrement();
           }
           
-          // Helper function to start auto-increment progress (1% every 300ms until 80%)
-          const startAutoIncrement = () => {
-            // Clear any existing auto-increment interval
-            if (autoIncrementIntervalRef.current) {
-              clearInterval(autoIncrementIntervalRef.current);
-              autoIncrementIntervalRef.current = null;
-            }
-            
-            // Only start if we're below 80%
-            if (displayedPercentageRef.current < 80) {
-              autoIncrementIntervalRef.current = setInterval(() => {
-                setProgress(prev => {
-                  // Check current status - stop if not processing
-                  if (prev.status !== 'processing') {
-                    if (autoIncrementIntervalRef.current) {
-                      clearInterval(autoIncrementIntervalRef.current);
-                      autoIncrementIntervalRef.current = null;
-                    }
-                    return prev;
-                  }
-                  
-                  const current = displayedPercentageRef.current;
-                  if (current < 80) {
-                    const newPercentage = Math.min(current + 1, 80);
-                    displayedPercentageRef.current = newPercentage;
-                    
-                    // Stop if we've reached 80%
-                    if (newPercentage >= 80) {
-                      if (autoIncrementIntervalRef.current) {
-                        clearInterval(autoIncrementIntervalRef.current);
-                        autoIncrementIntervalRef.current = null;
-                      }
-                    }
-                    
-                    return {
-                      ...prev,
-                      percentage: newPercentage,
-                    };
-                  } else {
-                    // Stop if we've reached 80%
-                    if (autoIncrementIntervalRef.current) {
-                      clearInterval(autoIncrementIntervalRef.current);
-                      autoIncrementIntervalRef.current = null;
-                    }
-                    return prev;
-                  }
-                });
-              }, 300);
-            }
-          };
-          
           // Update step logs if available
           if (meta.request_steps || meta.response_steps) {
             // Collect all steps for display in modal