diff --git a/tests/test_microphone_monitor.py b/tests/test_microphone_monitor.py
index f4d8f43..021cd14 100644
--- a/tests/test_microphone_monitor.py
+++ b/tests/test_microphone_monitor.py
@@ -65,3 +65,33 @@ async def test_on_device_removed_fires_when_device_disappears():
         monitor.stop()
 
     assert removed == ["Mic B"]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_on_configured_missing_fires_immediately_at_start():
+    monitor = PollMonitor(configured_device="Headset USB", interval=99.0)
+    missing_called = asyncio.Event()
+
+    async def on_missing() -> None:
+        missing_called.set()
+
+    monitor.on_configured_missing = on_missing
+
+    with patch("sounddevice.query_devices", return_value=_fake_devices(["Mic A"])):
+        await monitor.start()
+
+    assert missing_called.is_set()
+    monitor.stop()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_on_configured_missing_does_not_fire_when_device_present():
+    monitor = PollMonitor(configured_device="Headset USB", interval=99.0)
+    missing_mock = AsyncMock()
+    monitor.on_configured_missing = missing_mock
+
+    with patch("sounddevice.query_devices", return_value=_fake_devices(["Headset USB", "Mic A"])):
+        await monitor.start()
+
+    missing_mock.assert_not_called()
+    monitor.stop()
diff --git a/whisper_local/microphone/_poll.py b/whisper_local/microphone/_poll.py
index 44c768f..a524e0a 100644
--- a/whisper_local/microphone/_poll.py
+++ b/whisper_local/microphone/_poll.py
@@ -32,6 +32,12 @@ class PollMonitor:
 
     async def start(self) -> None:
         self._known_devices = self._current_devices()
+        if (
+            self.configured_device
+            and self.configured_device not in self._known_devices
+            and self.on_configured_missing
+        ):
+            await self.on_configured_missing()
         self._task = asyncio.create_task(self._loop())
 
     def stop(self) -> None: