diff --git a/ble_scan_helper.py b/ble_scan_helper.py
index b9d48a6..681bae0 100644
--- a/ble_scan_helper.py
+++ b/ble_scan_helper.py
@@ -14,7 +14,8 @@ from bleak.backends.scanner import AdvertisementData
 async def scan_ble_devices():
     """Scan for MeshCore BLE devices using BleakScanner"""
     try:
-        print("Scanning for MeshCore BLE devices...", flush=True)
+        # Send status message to stderr so it doesn't interfere with JSON output
+        print("Scanning for MeshCore BLE devices...", file=sys.stderr, flush=True)
         
         def match_meshcore_device(device: BLEDevice, advertisement_data: AdvertisementData):
             """Filter to match MeshCore devices."""
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ async def scan_ble_devices():
         devices = await BleakScanner.discover(timeout=10.0, detection_callback=match_meshcore_device)
         
         if not devices:
-            print("No MeshCore BLE devices found", flush=True)
+            print("No MeshCore BLE devices found", file=sys.stderr, flush=True)
             return []
         
         # Format devices for the installer
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ async def scan_ble_devices():
             }
             formatted_devices.append(device_info)
         
-        # Output as JSON for the installer to parse
+        # Output as JSON for the installer to parse (stdout only)
         print(json.dumps(formatted_devices), flush=True)
         return formatted_devices
         
diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index 2239116..40493b0 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ from bleak.backends.scanner import AdvertisementData
 async def scan_ble_devices():
     """Scan for MeshCore BLE devices using BleakScanner"""
     try:
-        print("Scanning for MeshCore BLE devices...", flush=True)
+        print("Scanning for MeshCore BLE devices...", file=sys.stderr, flush=True)
         
         def match_meshcore_device(device: BLEDevice, advertisement_data: AdvertisementData):
             """Filter to match MeshCore devices."""
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ async def scan_ble_devices():
         devices = await BleakScanner.discover(timeout=10.0, detection_callback=match_meshcore_device)
         
         if not devices:
-            print("No MeshCore BLE devices found", flush=True)
+            print("No MeshCore BLE devices found", file=sys.stderr, flush=True)
             return []
         
         # Format devices for the installer