diff --git a/src/Components/CreateImageWizard/LabelInput.tsx b/src/Components/CreateImageWizard/LabelInput.tsx
index f73cb1c536..ff16ef4799 100644
--- a/src/Components/CreateImageWizard/LabelInput.tsx
+++ b/src/Components/CreateImageWizard/LabelInput.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import React, { useState } from 'react';
+import React, { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
 
 import {
   Button,
@@ -18,7 +18,13 @@ import { UnknownAction } from '@reduxjs/toolkit';
 import { StepValidation } from './utilities/useValidation';
 
 import { UNDEFINED_GROUPS_WARNING_KEY } from '../../constants';
-import { useAppDispatch } from '../../store/hooks';
+import { useAppDispatch, useAppSelector } from '../../store/hooks';
+import {
+  clearPendingInput,
+  resetForceShowErrors,
+  selectForceShowErrors,
+  setPendingInput,
+} from '../../store/slices/wizard';
 
 const DEFAULT_TRUNCATE_LENGTH = 20;
 const DEFAULT_CHIP_COLLAPSE_THRESHOLD = 4;
@@ -59,11 +65,18 @@ const LabelInput = ({
   helperText,
 }: LabelInputProps) => {
   const dispatch = useAppDispatch();
+  const forceShowErrors = useAppSelector(selectForceShowErrors);
 
   const [inputValue, setInputValue] = useState('');
   const [onStepInputErrorText, setOnStepInputErrorText] = useState('');
   let [invalidImports, duplicateImports] = ['', ''];
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => {
+      dispatch(clearPendingInput(fieldName));
+    };
+  }, [dispatch, fieldName]);
+
   if (stepValidation.errors[fieldName]) {
     [invalidImports, duplicateImports] =
       stepValidation.errors[fieldName].split('|');
@@ -75,6 +88,14 @@ const LabelInput = ({
   ) => {
     setInputValue(value);
     setOnStepInputErrorText('');
+    if (forceShowErrors) {
+      dispatch(resetForceShowErrors());
+    }
+    if (value.trim()) {
+      dispatch(setPendingInput(fieldName));
+    } else {
+      dispatch(clearPendingInput(fieldName));
+    }
   };
 
   const addItem = (value: string) => {
@@ -135,6 +156,7 @@ const LabelInput = ({
     }
 
     dispatch(addAction(trimmed));
+    dispatch(clearPendingInput(fieldName));
     setInputValue('');
     setOnStepInputErrorText('');
   };
@@ -156,6 +178,10 @@ const LabelInput = ({
   if (duplicateImports) errors.push(duplicateImports);
 
   const warning = stepValidation.errors[UNDEFINED_GROUPS_WARNING_KEY];
+  const unaddedInputWarning =
+    forceShowErrors && inputValue.trim()
+      ? `"${inputValue.trim()}" has not been added. Press Enter or click ${hideAddLabel ? 'the add icon' : 'Add'} to add it.`
+      : '';
   const totalItems = (requiredList?.length ?? 0) + (list?.length ?? 0);
 
   return (
@@ -218,6 +244,11 @@ const LabelInput = ({
           {warning && (
             <HelperTextItem variant={'warning'}>{warning}</HelperTextItem>
           )}
+          {unaddedInputWarning && errors.length === 0 && (
+            <HelperTextItem variant={'warning'}>
+              {unaddedInputWarning}
+            </HelperTextItem>
+          )}
         </HelperText>
       </FlexItem>
       <FlexItem alignSelf={{ default: 'alignSelfFlexStart' }}>
diff --git a/src/Components/CreateImageWizard/tests/LabelInput.test.tsx b/src/Components/CreateImageWizard/tests/LabelInput.test.tsx
index 857bce0d84..e110a5d7f9 100644
--- a/src/Components/CreateImageWizard/tests/LabelInput.test.tsx
+++ b/src/Components/CreateImageWizard/tests/LabelInput.test.tsx
@@ -12,12 +12,14 @@ import {
 import LabelInput from '../LabelInput';
 import type { StepValidation } from '../utilities/useValidation';
 
-const { dispatchMock } = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+const { dispatchMock, forceShowErrorsMock } = vi.hoisted(() => ({
   dispatchMock: vi.fn(),
+  forceShowErrorsMock: { value: false },
 }));
 
 vi.mock('@/store/hooks', () => ({
   useAppDispatch: () => dispatchMock,
+  useAppSelector: () => forceShowErrorsMock.value,
 }));
 
 const stepValidation: StepValidation = {
@@ -46,6 +48,7 @@ const renderLabelInput = (
 describe('LabelInput', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
     dispatchMock.mockClear();
+    forceShowErrorsMock.value = false;
   });
 
   test('does not dispatch for empty input via Add button or Enter', async () => {
@@ -109,7 +112,10 @@ describe('LabelInput', () => {
     );
 
     expect(screen.getByText('Item already exists.')).toBeInTheDocument();
-    expect(dispatchMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(dispatchMock).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+      type: 'test/add',
+      payload: 'admins',
+    });
   });
 
   test('shows field-specific validation error for invalid input', async () => {
@@ -132,7 +138,10 @@ describe('LabelInput', () => {
     expect(
       screen.getByText('Expected format: <group-name>. Example: admin'),
     ).toBeInTheDocument();
-    expect(dispatchMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(dispatchMock).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+      type: 'test/add',
+      payload: 'invalid value',
+    });
   });
 
   test('dispatches remove action when removing a chip', async () => {
@@ -149,4 +158,35 @@ describe('LabelInput', () => {
       payload: 'admins',
     });
   });
+
+  test('shows warning for unadded input when forceShowErrors is true', async () => {
+    forceShowErrorsMock.value = true;
+    renderLabelInput();
+    const user = createUser();
+
+    await typeWithWait(
+      user,
+      screen.getByPlaceholderText('Add label'),
+      'pending-value',
+    );
+
+    expect(
+      screen.getByText(
+        '"pending-value" has not been added. Press Enter or click Add to add it.',
+      ),
+    ).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  test('does not show unadded warning when forceShowErrors is false', async () => {
+    renderLabelInput();
+    const user = createUser();
+
+    await typeWithWait(
+      user,
+      screen.getByPlaceholderText('Add label'),
+      'pending-value',
+    );
+
+    expect(screen.queryByText(/has not been added/)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
 });
diff --git a/src/Components/CreateImageWizard/utilities/useValidation.tsx b/src/Components/CreateImageWizard/utilities/useValidation.tsx
index b22f25db73..8fc6df9137 100644
--- a/src/Components/CreateImageWizard/utilities/useValidation.tsx
+++ b/src/Components/CreateImageWizard/utilities/useValidation.tsx
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ import {
   selectLanguages,
   selectNtpServers,
   selectOrgId,
+  selectPendingInputFields,
   selectRegistrationType,
   selectSatelliteCaCertificate,
   selectSatelliteRegistrationCommand,
@@ -128,6 +129,11 @@ export type UsersStepValidation = {
   disabledNext: boolean;
 };
 
+const hasPendingInputForFields = (
+  pendingInputFields: string[],
+  fieldNames: string[],
+): boolean => fieldNames.some((f) => pendingInputFields.includes(f));
+
 export function useIsBlueprintValid(): boolean {
   const aap = useAAPValidation();
   const registration = useRegistrationValidation();
@@ -552,6 +558,7 @@ export function useSnapshotValidation(): StepValidation {
 export function useTimezoneValidation(): StepValidation {
   const timezone = useAppSelector(selectTimezone);
   const ntpServers = useAppSelector(selectNtpServers);
+  const pendingInputFields = useAppSelector(selectPendingInputFields);
   const invalidServers = [];
 
   if (ntpServers) {
@@ -581,7 +588,8 @@ export function useTimezoneValidation(): StepValidation {
     disabledNext:
       timezoneError !== '' ||
       invalidServers.length > 0 ||
-      duplicateNtpServers.length > 0,
+      duplicateNtpServers.length > 0 ||
+      hasPendingInputForFields(pendingInputFields, ['ntpServers']),
   };
 }
 
@@ -661,6 +669,7 @@ export function useHostnameValidation(): StepValidation {
 
 export function useKernelValidation(): StepValidation {
   const kernel = useAppSelector(selectKernel);
+  const pendingInputFields = useAppSelector(selectPendingInputFields);
 
   const invalidArgs = [];
   if (kernel.append.length > 0) {
@@ -685,12 +694,16 @@ export function useKernelValidation(): StepValidation {
     errors: {
       kernelAppend: kernelAppendError + '|' + duplicateKernelArgsError,
     },
-    disabledNext: kernelAppendError !== '' || duplicateKernelArgs.length > 0,
+    disabledNext:
+      kernelAppendError !== '' ||
+      duplicateKernelArgs.length > 0 ||
+      hasPendingInputForFields(pendingInputFields, ['kernelAppend']),
   };
 }
 
 export function useFirewallValidation(): StepValidation {
   const firewall = useAppSelector(selectFirewall);
+  const pendingInputFields = useAppSelector(selectPendingInputFields);
   const invalidPorts = [];
   const invalidDisabled = [];
   const invalidEnabled = [];
@@ -768,12 +781,18 @@ export function useFirewallValidation(): StepValidation {
       invalidEnabled.length > 0 ||
       duplicatePorts.length > 0 ||
       duplicateDisabledServices.length > 0 ||
-      duplicateEnabledServices.length > 0,
+      duplicateEnabledServices.length > 0 ||
+      hasPendingInputForFields(pendingInputFields, [
+        'ports',
+        'enabledServices',
+        'disabledServices',
+      ]),
   };
 }
 
 export function useServicesValidation(): StepValidation {
   const services = useAppSelector(selectServices);
+  const pendingInputFields = useAppSelector(selectPendingInputFields);
 
   const invalidDisabled = [];
   const invalidMasked = [];
@@ -851,7 +870,12 @@ export function useServicesValidation(): StepValidation {
       invalidEnabled.length > 0 ||
       duplicateDisabledServices.length > 0 ||
       duplicateMaskedServices.length > 0 ||
-      duplicateEnabledServices.length > 0,
+      duplicateEnabledServices.length > 0 ||
+      hasPendingInputForFields(pendingInputFields, [
+        'enabledSystemdServices',
+        'disabledSystemdServices',
+        'maskedSystemdServices',
+      ]),
   };
 }
 
@@ -888,6 +912,7 @@ export function useUsersValidation(): UsersStepValidation {
   const environments = useAppSelector(selectImageTypes);
   const users = useAppSelector(selectUsers);
   const userGroups = useAppSelector(selectUserGroups);
+  const pendingInputFields = useAppSelector(selectPendingInputFields);
   const errors: { [key: string]: { [key: string]: string } } = {};
 
   if (
@@ -1005,7 +1030,8 @@ export function useUsersValidation(): UsersStepValidation {
   return {
     errors,
     warnings: {},
-    disabledNext: !canProceed,
+    disabledNext:
+      !canProceed || hasPendingInputForFields(pendingInputFields, ['groups']),
   };
 }
 
diff --git a/src/store/slices/wizard/validation/selectors.ts b/src/store/slices/wizard/validation/selectors.ts
index ad0d3a01ab..baeaab140d 100644
--- a/src/store/slices/wizard/validation/selectors.ts
+++ b/src/store/slices/wizard/validation/selectors.ts
@@ -3,3 +3,7 @@ import { RootState } from '@/store';
 export const selectForceShowErrors = (state: RootState) => {
   return state.wizard.validation.forceShowErrors;
 };
+
+export const selectPendingInputFields = (state: RootState) => {
+  return state.wizard.validation.pendingInputFields;
+};
diff --git a/src/store/slices/wizard/validation/slice.ts b/src/store/slices/wizard/validation/slice.ts
index d16a333c24..637e7b0e40 100644
--- a/src/store/slices/wizard/validation/slice.ts
+++ b/src/store/slices/wizard/validation/slice.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { createSlice } from '@reduxjs/toolkit';
+import { createSlice, PayloadAction } from '@reduxjs/toolkit';
 
 import { initialState } from './state';
 
@@ -14,6 +14,16 @@ export const validationSlice = createSlice({
     resetForceShowErrors: (state) => {
       state.forceShowErrors = false;
     },
+    setPendingInput: (state, action: PayloadAction<string>) => {
+      if (!state.pendingInputFields.includes(action.payload)) {
+        state.pendingInputFields.push(action.payload);
+      }
+    },
+    clearPendingInput: (state, action: PayloadAction<string>) => {
+      state.pendingInputFields = state.pendingInputFields.filter(
+        (f) => f !== action.payload,
+      );
+    },
   },
   extraReducers: (builder) => {
     builder
@@ -27,5 +37,9 @@ export const validationSlice = createSlice({
   },
 });
 
-export const { setForceShowErrors, resetForceShowErrors } =
-  validationSlice.actions;
+export const {
+  setForceShowErrors,
+  resetForceShowErrors,
+  setPendingInput,
+  clearPendingInput,
+} = validationSlice.actions;
diff --git a/src/store/slices/wizard/validation/state.ts b/src/store/slices/wizard/validation/state.ts
index 728d3cb4b9..0bde46885f 100644
--- a/src/store/slices/wizard/validation/state.ts
+++ b/src/store/slices/wizard/validation/state.ts
@@ -2,4 +2,5 @@ import { ValidationSlice } from './types';
 
 export const initialState: ValidationSlice = {
   forceShowErrors: false,
+  pendingInputFields: [],
 };
diff --git a/src/store/slices/wizard/validation/types.ts b/src/store/slices/wizard/validation/types.ts
index 5682d2c655..04c4248caa 100644
--- a/src/store/slices/wizard/validation/types.ts
+++ b/src/store/slices/wizard/validation/types.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 export type ValidationSlice = {
   forceShowErrors: boolean;
+  pendingInputFields: string[];
 };