diff --git a/tests/unit/gui/test_daq_worker_recovery.py b/tests/unit/gui/test_daq_worker_recovery.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d4eab57b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/gui/test_daq_worker_recovery.py
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+"""Covers the recovery-response payload handling in DAQWorker.
+
+The server may return a bare JSON string instead of a dict during recovery
+(see fix "allow str has no get when in recovery"), so the handler must not
+assume ``payload.get`` exists.
+"""
+
+import json
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+import pytest
+
+from aare.gui.threads.daq_worker import DAQWorker
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def worker(qapp):
+    w = DAQWorker(base_url=None, token="test-token")
+    w._timer.stop()  # no background polling during tests
+    w.send_status_request = MagicMock()
+    return w
+
+
+def run_recovery(worker, response_data, default="default recovery message"):
+    worker.handle_response = MagicMock(return_value=response_data)
+    slot = MagicMock()
+    worker.recovery_action_completed.connect(slot)
+    worker._handle_recovery_action_response(MagicMock(), default)
+    return slot
+
+
+def test_recovery_response_dict_payload(worker):
+    slot = run_recovery(worker, json.dumps({"message": "TELL recovered"}))
+    slot.assert_called_once_with("TELL recovered")
+
+
+def test_recovery_response_dict_without_message_uses_default(worker):
+    slot = run_recovery(worker, json.dumps({"status": "ok"}), default="fallback")
+    slot.assert_called_once_with("fallback")
+
+
+def test_recovery_response_str_payload(worker):
+    # A bare JSON string has no .get(); must be passed through as-is.
+    slot = run_recovery(worker, json.dumps("plain string status"))
+    slot.assert_called_once_with("plain string status")