diff --git a/src/views/HomeView.vue b/src/views/HomeView.vue
index 29b7bc6a..a31d1ec4 100644
--- a/src/views/HomeView.vue
+++ b/src/views/HomeView.vue
@@ -296,6 +296,12 @@ export default class HomeView extends Vue {
         "You must select an identity before you can record a give.";
       return;
     }
+    if (!description && !hours) {
+      this.alertTitle = "Error";
+      this.alertMessage =
+        "You must enter a description or some number of hours.";
+      return;
+    }
     const account = R.find(
       (acc) => acc.did === this.activeDid,
       this.allAccounts
@@ -319,7 +325,8 @@ export default class HomeView extends Vue {
           console.log("Error with give result:", result);
           this.alertTitle = "Error";
           this.alertMessage =
-            result.data?.message || "There was an error recording the give.";
+            result.data?.error?.message ||
+            "There was an error recording the give.";
         } else {
           this.alertTitle = "Success";
           this.alertMessage = "That gift was recorded.";
@@ -327,10 +334,13 @@ export default class HomeView extends Vue {
         }
       })
       .catch((e) => {
+        // axios throws errors on 400 responses
         console.log("Error with give caught:", e);
         this.alertTitle = "Error";
         this.alertMessage =
-          e.userMessage || "There was an error recording the give.";
+          e.userMessage ||
+          e.response?.data?.error?.message ||
+          "There was an error recording the give.";
       });
   }
 
diff --git a/src/views/ProjectViewView.vue b/src/views/ProjectViewView.vue
index d80964f2..dc9c5a90 100644
--- a/src/views/ProjectViewView.vue
+++ b/src/views/ProjectViewView.vue
@@ -179,6 +179,18 @@
       </ul>
     </div>
     -->
+
+    <!-- This same popup code is in many files. -->
+    <div v-bind:class="computedAlertClassNames()">
+      <button
+        class="close-button bg-slate-200 w-8 leading-loose rounded-full absolute top-2 right-2"
+        @click="onClickClose()"
+      >
+        <fa icon="xmark"></fa>
+      </button>
+      <h4 class="font-bold pr-5">{{ alertTitle }}</h4>
+      <p>{{ alertMessage }}</p>
+    </div>
   </section>
 </template>
 
@@ -318,6 +330,12 @@ export default class ProjectViewView extends Vue {
         "You must select an identity before you can record a give.";
       return;
     }
+    if (!description && !hours) {
+      this.alertTitle = "Error";
+      this.alertMessage =
+        "You must enter a description or some number of hours.";
+      return;
+    }
     const accounts = await accountsDB.accounts.toArray();
     const account = R.find((acc) => acc.did === this.activeDid, accounts);
     const identity = JSON.parse(account?.identity || "null");
@@ -339,7 +357,8 @@ export default class ProjectViewView extends Vue {
           console.log("Error with give result:", result);
           this.alertTitle = "Error";
           this.alertMessage =
-            result.data?.message || "There was an error recording the give.";
+            result.data?.error?.message ||
+            "There was an error recording the give.";
         } else {
           this.alertTitle = "Success";
           this.alertMessage = "That gift was recorded.";
@@ -347,10 +366,13 @@ export default class ProjectViewView extends Vue {
         }
       })
       .catch((e) => {
+        // axios throws errors on 400 responses
         console.log("Error with give caught:", e);
         this.alertTitle = "Error";
         this.alertMessage =
-          e.userMessage || "There was an error recording the give.";
+          e.userMessage ||
+          e.response?.data?.error?.message ||
+          "There was an error recording the give.";
       });
   }