diff --git a/plugins/hw_wallet/cmdline.py b/plugins/hw_wallet/cmdline.py
index 6cd27a001..bbf547d68 100644
--- a/plugins/hw_wallet/cmdline.py
+++ b/plugins/hw_wallet/cmdline.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class CmdLineHandler:
     def show_message(self, msg, on_cancel=None):
         print_msg(msg)
 
-    def show_error(self, msg):
+    def show_error(self, msg, blocking=False):
         print_msg(msg)
 
     def update_status(self, b):
diff --git a/plugins/hw_wallet/qt.py b/plugins/hw_wallet/qt.py
index b19650bc1..d9aef58a1 100644
--- a/plugins/hw_wallet/qt.py
+++ b/plugins/hw_wallet/qt.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ class QtHandlerBase(QObject, PrintError):
 
     passphrase_signal = pyqtSignal(object, object)
     message_signal = pyqtSignal(object, object)
-    error_signal = pyqtSignal(object)
+    error_signal = pyqtSignal(object, object)
     word_signal = pyqtSignal(object)
     clear_signal = pyqtSignal()
     query_signal = pyqtSignal(object, object)
@@ -90,8 +90,10 @@ class QtHandlerBase(QObject, PrintError):
     def show_message(self, msg, on_cancel=None):
         self.message_signal.emit(msg, on_cancel)
 
-    def show_error(self, msg):
-        self.error_signal.emit(msg)
+    def show_error(self, msg, blocking=False):
+        self.done.clear()
+        self.error_signal.emit(msg, blocking)
+        self.done.wait()
 
     def finished(self):
         self.clear_signal.emit()
@@ -154,8 +156,10 @@ class QtHandlerBase(QObject, PrintError):
             vbox.addLayout(Buttons(CancelButton(dialog)))
         dialog.show()
 
-    def error_dialog(self, msg):
+    def error_dialog(self, msg, blocking):
         self.win.show_error(msg, parent=self.top_level_window())
+        if blocking:
+            self.done.set()
 
     def clear_dialog(self):
         if self.dialog:
diff --git a/plugins/trezor/trezor.py b/plugins/trezor/trezor.py
index 5166c5f53..aa49ace90 100644
--- a/plugins/trezor/trezor.py
+++ b/plugins/trezor/trezor.py
@@ -217,14 +217,13 @@ class TrezorPlugin(HW_PluginBase):
         item, label, pin_protection, passphrase_protection = settings
 
         if method == TIM_RECOVER:
-            # FIXME the PIN prompt will appear over this message
-            # which makes this unreadable
             handler.show_error(_(
                 "You will be asked to enter 24 words regardless of your "
                 "seed's actual length.  If you enter a word incorrectly or "
                 "misspell it, you cannot change it or go back - you will need "
                 "to start again from the beginning.\n\nSo please enter "
-                "the words carefully!"))
+                "the words carefully!"),
+                blocking=True)
 
         language = 'english'
         devmgr = self.device_manager()