diff --git a/dzgui/app_init.py b/dzgui/app_init.py
index 728a495..77d076f 100644
--- a/dzgui/app_init.py
+++ b/dzgui/app_init.py
@@ -7,7 +7,12 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 from warnings import deprecated
 
 
-from dzgui.const.constants import APP_NAME, STEAM_ICON, STEAM_ICONS_PATH
+from dzgui.const.constants import (
+    APP_NAME,
+    FLATPAK_ROOT_PATH,
+    STEAM_ICON,
+    STEAM_ICONS_PATH,
+)
 from dzgui.const.enum import Preferences
 from dzgui.config.query import lookup
 from dzgui.config.userprefs import UserPrefs
@@ -18,7 +23,7 @@ from dzgui.init.migrate import (
     migrate_cols_file,
 )
 from dzgui.init.flock import lock_acquire
-from dzgui.init.prereqs import has_any_client
+from dzgui.init.prereqs import has_flatpak_client, has_steam_client
 from dzgui.strings import boot
 
 from dzgui.util.deck import is_steam_deck, is_game_mode
@@ -161,7 +166,11 @@ def load_gui(version: str, is_debug: bool) -> None:
         # TODO: sudo escalation dialog
         # count = get_map_count()
         # TODO: move into module
-        if has_any_client() is False:
+        if FLATPAK_ROOT_PATH in lookup(XDG.config, Preferences.DEFAULT):
+            has_client = has_flatpak_client()
+        else:
+            has_client = has_steam_client()
+        if has_client is False:
             EarlyAlertDialog(init.requires_steam)
 
     bootwin = BootWindow(XDG, version)
diff --git a/dzgui/util/strings.py b/dzgui/util/strings.py
index 30a7fc6..91c41ea 100644
--- a/dzgui/util/strings.py
+++ b/dzgui/util/strings.py
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ class Options:
 init = Init(
     is_steam_running="Is Steam running? DZGUI must be run on top of Steam.",
     is_dayz_running="Is DayZ already running? DZGUI cannot launch DayZ if another process is using it.",
-    requires_steam="DZGUI requires that Steam or Flatpak Steam be installed on the system.",
+    requires_steam="Your chosen client (Steam/Flatpak Steam) must be installed on the system.",
 )
 
 mod_panel = ModPanelStrings(