diff --git a/src/aare/gui/main_window.py b/src/aare/gui/main_window.py
index 40b98ec4..ac553d85 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/main_window.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/main_window.py
@@ -1013,8 +1013,13 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         # Energy row inside Exp. Config. — not staff-gated like the
         # Beamline setup copy; the server enforces write permission anyway.
         self.data_collection.change_energy.connect(self.daq.change_energy)
+        # Both Set Energy rows follow the one in-flight request, whichever
+        # row clicked. The mono panel exists for staff only (locked banner
+        # otherwise), so its half sits in the staff block below.
+        self.daq.energy_changing.connect(self.data_collection.set_energy_changing)
 
         if self._decoded_token.staff:
+            self.daq.energy_changing.connect(self.monochromator_panel.set_energy_changing)
             self.monochromator_panel.mono_pitch_scan.connect(self.daq.mono_pitch_scan)
             self.monochromator_panel.move_beam_to_box.connect(self.daq.steer_beam)
             self.monochromator_panel.change_energy.connect(self.daq.change_energy)
@@ -1204,6 +1209,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         self.daq.update.connect(self.portrait_sample_camera.update_daq_status)
         for camera in (self.sample_camera, self.compact_sample_camera, self.portrait_sample_camera):
             self.daq.auto_centering.connect(camera.set_auto_centering)
+            self.daq.energy_changing.connect(camera.set_energy_changing)
         self.daq.update.connect(self.tell_samples.update_daq_status)
         self.daq.update.connect(self.ref_tools_panel.update_daq_status)
         if self.prediction_thread is not None:
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/panels/data_collection_settings.py b/src/aare/gui/panels/data_collection_settings.py
index fc833c2c..a0f01ef7 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/panels/data_collection_settings.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/panels/data_collection_settings.py
@@ -216,6 +216,12 @@ class DataCollectionSettings(QFrame):
     def _emit_change_energy(self):
         self.change_energy.emit(float(self.energy_spin.value()) * 1000.0)
 
+    @Slot(bool)
+    def set_energy_changing(self, changing: bool):
+        # Button text is the loud cue; the spin's movestate is the subtle one.
+        self.change_energy_button.setText("Changing…" if changing else "Change Energy")
+        self._energy_state.set_changing(changing)
+
     @Slot()
     def switch_to_raster(self):
         self._tab_bar.setCurrentIndex(0)
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/panels/monochromator_panel.py b/src/aare/gui/panels/monochromator_panel.py
index 28f787e5..06924ac4 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/panels/monochromator_panel.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/panels/monochromator_panel.py
@@ -126,6 +126,12 @@ class MonochromatorPanel(QWidget):
     def _emit_change_energy(self):
         self.change_energy.emit(float(self.energy_spin.value()) * 1000.0)
 
+    @Slot(bool)
+    def set_energy_changing(self, changing: bool):
+        # Button text is the loud cue; the spin's movestate is the subtle one.
+        self.change_energy_button.setText("Changing…" if changing else "Change Energy")
+        self._energy_state.set_changing(changing)
+
     @Slot(DAQStatusModel)
     def update_daq_status(self, status: DAQStatusModel):
         energy = status.diffraction.energy_keV
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/threads/daq_worker.py b/src/aare/gui/threads/daq_worker.py
index ed27a993..e7568ac1 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/threads/daq_worker.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/threads/daq_worker.py
@@ -88,6 +88,10 @@ class DAQWorker(QObject):
     # True while a loop centering runs — /status alone cannot tell it from
     # a manual alignment move (see build_busy_overlay_style).
     auto_centering = Signal(bool)
+    # True while our own PUT /beamline/change_energy is in flight. The server
+    # never takes the hw lock for it, so /status.busy stays False the whole
+    # move — the reply edge is the only "done" signal the GUI has.
+    energy_changing = Signal(bool)
     gui_sessions_loaded = Signal(list)
     gui_close_requested = Signal(int, int, str)
     recovery_action_completed = Signal(str)
@@ -781,6 +785,7 @@ class DAQWorker(QObject):
             request.setRawHeader(b"Content-Type", b"application/json")
         reply = self._net_manager.put(request, QByteArray(body.encode("utf-8")))
         reply.finished.connect(lambda: self.handle_req_response(reply))
+        return reply
 
     def generic_delete(self, url: str):
         """
@@ -832,7 +837,15 @@ class DAQWorker(QObject):
 
     @Slot(float)
     def change_energy(self, value: float):
-        self.generic_put(f"beamline/change_energy?value={value:.3f}")
+        # Endpoint blocks server-side until the mono lands (same trick as
+        # center_loop): finished fires on success AND error, so the flag
+        # always clears. ponytail: only the clicking GUI knows — other GUIs
+        # need the server to take the hw lock (see server change_energy).
+        reply = self.generic_put(f"beamline/change_energy?value={value:.3f}")
+        if reply is None:
+            return
+        self.energy_changing.emit(True)
+        reply.finished.connect(lambda: self.energy_changing.emit(False))
 
     @Slot(int)
     def front_light(self, v: int):
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/widgets/busy_overlay.py b/src/aare/gui/widgets/busy_overlay.py
index 19b6fd6d..edf19e83 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/widgets/busy_overlay.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/widgets/busy_overlay.py
@@ -182,6 +182,7 @@ def build_busy_overlay_style(
     tell_state: TellStateModel | None,
     session_state: SessionsStateEnum | None = None,
     auto_centering: bool = False,
+    energy_changing: bool = False,
 ) -> BusyOverlayStyle | None:
     if session_state in {
         SessionsStateEnum.OwnedByElse,
@@ -198,6 +199,12 @@ def build_busy_overlay_style(
     if auto_centering:
         return _animated("AUTO CENTERING", BUSY_PSI_RED, BUSY_PSI_RED_BORDER, BUSY_PSI_RED_DOT)
 
+    # Energy change is GUI-tracked (request in flight), not in /status.busy —
+    # the server skips the hw lock for it, so without this the curtain the
+    # mono pitch scan gets would be missing for the longer energy move.
+    if energy_changing:
+        return _animated("CHANGING ENERGY", BUSY_PSI_RED, BUSY_PSI_RED_BORDER, BUSY_PSI_RED_DOT)
+
     if not is_busy:
         return None
 
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/widgets/camera_image.py b/src/aare/gui/widgets/camera_image.py
index 03454282..b87bf46a 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/widgets/camera_image.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/widgets/camera_image.py
@@ -129,6 +129,7 @@ class SampleCameraImageLabel(QGraphicsView):
         self._grid_update_min_interval_s = 1.0 / 25.0
         self._tell_state = None
         self._auto_centering = False
+        self._energy_changing = False
         self._busy_overlay_style: BusyOverlayStyle | None = None
 
         self._geom = geom
@@ -300,6 +301,11 @@ class SampleCameraImageLabel(QGraphicsView):
         # /status tick (500 ms), well within the seconds a centering takes.
         self._auto_centering = active
 
+    @Slot(bool)
+    def set_energy_changing(self, active: bool) -> None:
+        # Same deal as set_auto_centering: stored, overlay rebuilt next tick.
+        self._energy_changing = active
+
     def _busy_overlay_text(self) -> str:
         tell_state = self._tell_state
         if tell_state is None:
@@ -817,6 +823,7 @@ class SampleCameraImageLabel(QGraphicsView):
             tell_state=s.tell_state,
             session_state=self._session_state,
             auto_centering=self._auto_centering,
+            energy_changing=self._energy_changing,
         )
         if new_busy_style != self._busy_overlay_style:
             self._busy_overlay_style = new_busy_style
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/widgets/motor_move_group.py b/src/aare/gui/widgets/motor_move_group.py
index 3315d4b0..64663277 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/widgets/motor_move_group.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/widgets/motor_move_group.py
@@ -75,6 +75,16 @@ class SpinMoveState(QObject):
             self._spin.setValue(value)
             self._syncing = False
 
+    @Slot(bool)
+    def set_changing(self, changing: bool):
+        """Server-side edge from the in-flight request. True forces moving
+        (the twin Set Energy row that did not click has no other way to
+        know) and locks the spin so a second request cannot race the first;
+        False returns to neutral even when the mono never lands within tol,
+        which used to leave the row green forever."""
+        self._spin.setReadOnly(changing)
+        self._set_state("moving" if changing else "")
+
     def _set_state(self, state: str):
         if self._spin.property("movestate") != state:
             self._spin.setProperty("movestate", state)
diff --git a/tests/unit/gui/test_busy_overlay.py b/tests/unit/gui/test_busy_overlay.py
index cf188c2d..978c1d54 100644
--- a/tests/unit/gui/test_busy_overlay.py
+++ b/tests/unit/gui/test_busy_overlay.py
@@ -75,3 +75,10 @@ def test_robot_cooling_is_the_only_blue_busy_state():
     for activity in ("mounting", "unmounting", "drying", "unknown"):
         assert _style(activity).badge_bg == BUSY_PSI_RED
     assert _style("unknown").text == "BEAMLINE BUSY"
+
+
+def test_energy_changing_flag_shows_its_own_badge():
+    # GUI-tracked (request in flight), not in /status.busy: the server skips
+    # the hw lock for energy changes, so the flag alone must raise the badge.
+    style = build_busy_overlay_style(is_busy=False, tell_state=None, energy_changing=True)
+    assert style is not None and style.text == "CHANGING ENERGY"
diff --git a/tests/unit/gui/test_camera_image.py b/tests/unit/gui/test_camera_image.py
index be91b41a..94f4e0a5 100644
--- a/tests/unit/gui/test_camera_image.py
+++ b/tests/unit/gui/test_camera_image.py
@@ -297,3 +297,19 @@ def test_unknown_session_paints_the_viewing_mode_badge(camera):
     assert camera._busy_overlay_style is None
     camera.grab()
     assert camera._session_badge_rect is not None
+
+
+def test_energy_changing_raises_the_curtain_on_next_tick(camera, daq_status_factory):
+    # Stored on the edge, applied on the next /status tick (same as
+    # set_auto_centering) — so the tick is what must show the badge.
+    from aarecommon.models.models import SessionsStateEnum
+
+    # own session, else the viewing-mode badge wins over every busy badge
+    owned = daq_status_factory(session_state=SessionsStateEnum.OwnedByYou)
+    camera.set_energy_changing(True)
+    camera.update_daq_status(owned)
+    assert camera._busy_overlay_style is not None
+    assert camera._busy_overlay_style.text == "CHANGING ENERGY"
+    camera.set_energy_changing(False)
+    camera.update_daq_status(owned)
+    assert camera._busy_overlay_style is None
diff --git a/tests/unit/gui/test_daq_worker_energy_changing.py b/tests/unit/gui/test_daq_worker_energy_changing.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..44e9dae9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/gui/test_daq_worker_energy_changing.py
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+"""change_energy must expose its in-flight window: the server never takes
+the hw lock for it, so the PUT reply edge is the GUI's only "done" signal."""
+
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+from aare.gui.threads.daq_worker import DAQWorker
+
+
+def _worker(qapp, base_url):
+    w = DAQWorker(base_url=base_url, token="test-token")
+    w._timer.stop()  # no background polling during tests
+    return w
+
+
+def test_offline_worker_never_flags_changing(qapp):
+    w = _worker(qapp, None)
+    seen = []
+    w.energy_changing.connect(seen.append)
+    w.change_energy(12000.0)  # offline: PUT is only logged, no reply
+    assert seen == []
+
+
+def test_reply_edge_brackets_the_change(qapp):
+    w = _worker(qapp, "http://daq.test")
+    w._net_manager = MagicMock()
+    reply = w._net_manager.put.return_value
+    seen = []
+    w.energy_changing.connect(seen.append)
+
+    w.change_energy(12000.0)
+    assert seen == [True]
+    assert (
+        "beamline/change_energy?value=12000.000"
+        in w._net_manager.put.call_args[0][0].url().toString()
+    )
+
+    # finished fires on success AND error — every connected slot runs
+    for (slot,), _kw in reply.finished.connect.call_args_list:
+        slot()
+    assert seen == [True, False]
diff --git a/tests/unit/gui/test_data_collection_settings.py b/tests/unit/gui/test_data_collection_settings.py
index d821e942..6f11cbb2 100644
--- a/tests/unit/gui/test_data_collection_settings.py
+++ b/tests/unit/gui/test_data_collection_settings.py
@@ -448,3 +448,14 @@ def test_energy_spin_motor_move_semantics(settings_panel, daq_status_factory):
 
     settings_panel._energy_state.update_actual(12.3995)
     assert box.property("movestate") == ""
+
+
+def test_energy_changing_edge_drives_button_and_spin(settings_panel, daq_status_factory):
+    # Same edge as the Beamline setup row (full walk tested there).
+    settings_panel.update_daq_status(daq_status_factory())
+    settings_panel.set_energy_changing(True)
+    assert settings_panel.change_energy_button.text() == "Changing…"
+    assert settings_panel.energy_spin.property("movestate") == "moving"
+    settings_panel.set_energy_changing(False)
+    assert settings_panel.change_energy_button.text() == "Change Energy"
+    assert settings_panel.energy_spin.property("movestate") == ""
diff --git a/tests/unit/gui/test_monochromator_panel.py b/tests/unit/gui/test_monochromator_panel.py
index 3785eaeb..a465b44f 100644
--- a/tests/unit/gui/test_monochromator_panel.py
+++ b/tests/unit/gui/test_monochromator_panel.py
@@ -87,3 +87,21 @@ def test_energy_spin_motor_move_semantics(qtbot, daq_status_factory):
     panel.update_daq_status(status)
     assert box.property("movestate") == ""
     assert panel.energy_spin.value() == pytest.approx(12.3995, abs=1e-3)
+
+
+def test_energy_changing_edge_drives_button_and_spin(qtbot, daq_status_factory):
+    # The in-flight edge from DAQWorker, not the click, is what shows busy:
+    # the twin row in Exp. Config. gets the same edge without ever clicking.
+    panel = MonochromatorPanel()
+    qtbot.addWidget(panel)
+    panel.update_daq_status(daq_status_factory())
+
+    panel.set_energy_changing(True)
+    assert panel.change_energy_button.text() == "Changing…"
+    assert panel.energy_spin.property("movestate") == "moving"
+    assert panel.energy_spin.isReadOnly()
+
+    panel.set_energy_changing(False)
+    assert panel.change_energy_button.text() == "Change Energy"
+    assert panel.energy_spin.property("movestate") == ""
+    assert not panel.energy_spin.isReadOnly()
diff --git a/tests/unit/gui/test_motor_move_group.py b/tests/unit/gui/test_motor_move_group.py
index fac30cf6..a864602a 100644
--- a/tests/unit/gui/test_motor_move_group.py
+++ b/tests/unit/gui/test_motor_move_group.py
@@ -138,3 +138,34 @@ def test_spin_move_state_colors_actually_render(qtbot):
 
     state.update_actual(12.398)  # arrived within tol
     assert value_area_color() == neutral
+
+
+def test_spin_set_changing_forces_moving_and_clears_without_arrival(qtbot):
+    # The reply edge must (a) mark the twin row moving without a click and
+    # lock it, (b) return to neutral even when the mono misses the tol window
+    # — the old arrival-only exit left the row green forever.
+    from PySide6.QtWidgets import QDoubleSpinBox, QPushButton
+
+    from aare.gui.widgets.motor_move_group import SpinMoveState
+
+    spin = QDoubleSpinBox()
+    spin.setDecimals(3)  # eV resolution, as the real Set Energy rows
+    spin.setRange(4.0, 20.0)
+    button = QPushButton()
+    qtbot.addWidget(spin)
+    qtbot.addWidget(button)
+    state = SpinMoveState(spin, button, tol=0.001)
+    state.update_actual(12.0)
+
+    state.set_changing(True)
+    assert spin.property("movestate") == "moving"
+    assert spin.isReadOnly()
+    assert not button.isEnabled()
+    state.update_actual(12.5)  # mid-move readback must not leak into the spin
+    assert spin.value() == 12.0
+
+    state.set_changing(False)
+    assert spin.property("movestate") == ""
+    assert not spin.isReadOnly()
+    state.update_actual(12.995)  # landed 5 eV off target: neutral row tracks it
+    assert spin.value() == pytest.approx(12.995)