diff --git a/crates/uv/src/commands/python/install.rs b/crates/uv/src/commands/python/install.rs
index 480731cbe3586..33ed48c3d525c 100644
--- a/crates/uv/src/commands/python/install.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/src/commands/python/install.rs
@@ -306,7 +306,10 @@ pub(crate) async fn install(
             PythonUpgrade::Enabled(PythonUpgradeSource::Upgrade) => {
                 writeln!(
                     printer.stderr(),
-                    "There are no installed versions to upgrade"
+                    "No managed Python installations found\n\n{}{} Use `{}` to install a new Python version",
+                    "hint".bold().cyan(),
+                    ":".bold(),
+                    "uv python install".green()
                 )?;
             }
             PythonUpgrade::Enabled(PythonUpgradeSource::Install) => {
@@ -615,15 +618,6 @@ pub(crate) async fn install(
                     "Python is already installed. Use `uv python install <request>` to install another version.",
                 )?;
             }
-        } else if matches!(
-            upgrade,
-            PythonUpgrade::Enabled(PythonUpgradeSource::Upgrade)
-        ) && requests.is_empty()
-        {
-            writeln!(
-                printer.stderr(),
-                "There are no installed versions to upgrade"
-            )?;
         } else if let [request] = requests.as_slice() {
             // Convert to the inner request
             let request = &request.request;
diff --git a/crates/uv/tests/it/python_upgrade.rs b/crates/uv/tests/it/python_upgrade.rs
index 108af424336a6..27ea140d41f0d 100644
--- a/crates/uv/tests/it/python_upgrade.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/tests/it/python_upgrade.rs
@@ -106,7 +106,9 @@ fn python_upgrade_without_version() {
     ----- stdout -----
 
     ----- stderr -----
-    There are no installed versions to upgrade
+    No managed Python installations found
+
+    hint: Use `uv python install` to install a new Python version
     ");
 
     // Install earlier patch versions for different minor versions