diff --git a/lib/towerops_web/live/dashboard_live.ex b/lib/towerops_web/live/dashboard_live.ex
index 5f33c8ef..329f696f 100644
--- a/lib/towerops_web/live/dashboard_live.ex
+++ b/lib/towerops_web/live/dashboard_live.ex
@@ -158,9 +158,19 @@ defmodule ToweropsWeb.DashboardLive do
   defp build_setup_checklist(organization, device_count) do
     integrations = Towerops.Integrations.list_integrations(organization.id)
     has_billing = Enum.any?(integrations, fn i -> i.provider in ~w(gaiia sonar splynx visp) and i.enabled end)
-    has_alert_routing = organization.alert_routing != "builtin" or has_escalation_policy?(organization)
+    has_escalation_policy = has_escalation_policy?(organization)
+    has_alert_routing = organization.alert_routing != "builtin" or has_escalation_policy
     schedules = Towerops.OnCall.list_schedules(organization.id)
 
+    # When using builtin routing without an escalation policy, guide the user
+    # to create one rather than looping back to general settings.
+    {alerting_label, alerting_link} =
+      if organization.alert_routing == "builtin" and not has_escalation_policy do
+        {"Create an escalation policy", ~p"/schedules/escalation-policies/new"}
+      else
+        {"Configure alert routing", ~p"/orgs/#{organization.slug}/settings?tab=general"}
+      end
+
     steps = [
       %{key: :devices, label: "Add devices to monitor", done: device_count > 0, link: ~p"/devices/new"},
       %{
@@ -172,9 +182,9 @@ defmodule ToweropsWeb.DashboardLive do
       },
       %{
         key: :alerting,
-        label: "Configure alert routing",
+        label: alerting_label,
         done: has_alert_routing,
-        link: ~p"/orgs/#{organization.slug}/settings?tab=general",
+        link: alerting_link,
         optional: false
       },
       %{