diff --git a/src-tauri/src/commands.rs b/src-tauri/src/commands.rs
index e645b71..84d1304 100644
--- a/src-tauri/src/commands.rs
+++ b/src-tauri/src/commands.rs
@@ -857,8 +857,10 @@ pub async fn hardware_status() -> WaResult<serde_json::Value> {
             "modelInstalled": npu_model_installed(),
         },
         // DirectML GPU package (P2): shares the ONNX model with the NPU path;
-        // only the runtime differs. Drives a future Settings ▸ Hardware indicator.
+        // only the runtime differs. `applicable` gates the Settings ▸ Hardware
+        // card so it only shows when DirectML would actually help this build.
         "directml": {
+            "applicable": crate::hardware::directml_would_help(),
             "runtimeReady": crate::paths::directml_runtime_ready(),
             "modelInstalled": npu_model_installed(),
         },