diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/plan.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/plan.go
index faaa2dfe..a7149f4f 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/plan.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/plan.go
@@ -1239,6 +1239,10 @@ func planCommand(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+		// A module left out is not in the body, so the diff alone would say "nothing would change" for
+		// a module just assigned whose settings cannot compose — success-shaped silence. Said first, with
+		// why, as push and the plain plan say it (novox/hq ADR 0163, rule 6).
+		reportLeftOut(args[0], declared)
 		return writePlanDiff(ctx, open.inventory, args[0], body)
 	}
 	if *asJSON {