diff --git a/_locales/en/messages.json b/_locales/en/messages.json
index 377b8598..ed4d3021 100755
--- a/_locales/en/messages.json
+++ b/_locales/en/messages.json
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@
         "message": "No configuration received within <span style=\"color: red\">10 seconds</span>, communication <span style=\"color: red\">failed</span>"
     },
     "firmwareVersionNotSupported": {
-        "message": "This firmware version is <span style=\"color: red\">not supported</span>. Please upgrade to firmware that supports api version <strong>$1</strong> or higher"
+        "message": "This firmware version is <span style=\"color: red\">not supported</span>. Please upgrade to firmware that supports api version <strong>$1</strong> or higher. Only CLI is usable for backup purposes."
     },
     "firmwareVersion": {
         "message": "Firmware Version: <strong>$1</strong>"
diff --git a/eventPage.js b/eventPage.js
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
diff --git a/js/data_storage.js b/js/data_storage.js
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index 836a3441..723e2300
--- a/js/data_storage.js
+++ b/js/data_storage.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ var CONFIGURATOR = {
     'apiVersionAccepted': 1.1,
     'backupFileMinVersionAccepted': '0.55', // chrome.runtime.getManifest().version is stored as string, so does this one
     'connectionValid': false,
+    'connectionValidCliOnly': false,
     'cliActive': false,
     'cliValid': false
 };
diff --git a/js/serial_backend.js b/js/serial_backend.js
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index 688181cc..d6e67899
--- a/js/serial_backend.js
+++ b/js/serial_backend.js
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ $(document).ready(function () {
 
                     GUI.connected_to = false;
                     CONFIGURATOR.connectionValid = false;
+                    CONFIGURATOR.connectionValidCliOnly = false;
                     MSP.disconnect_cleanup();
                     PortUsage.reset();
 
@@ -177,7 +178,11 @@ function onOpen(openInfo) {
                 });
             } else {
                 GUI.log(chrome.i18n.getMessage('firmwareVersionNotSupported', [CONFIGURATOR.apiVersionAccepted]));
-                $('div#port-picker a.connect').click(); // disconnect
+                CONFIGURATOR.connectionValid = true; // making it possible to open the CLI tab
+                $('div#port-picker a.connect').text(chrome.i18n.getMessage('disconnect')).addClass('active');
+                $('#tabs li a:last').click(); // open CLI tab
+                GUI.timeout_remove('connecting'); // kill connecting timer
+                CONFIGURATOR.connectionValidCliOnly = true;
             }
         });
     } else {
diff --git a/main.js b/main.js
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index 7994b85c..f5e60d5e
--- a/main.js
+++ b/main.js
@@ -62,12 +62,16 @@ $(document).ready(function () {
             var self = this,
                 tab = $(self).parent().prop('class');
 
-            // if there is no active connection, return
             if (!CONFIGURATOR.connectionValid) {
                 GUI.log('You need to <strong>connect</strong> before you can view any of the tabs');
                 return;
             }
 
+            if (CONFIGURATOR.connectionValidCliOnly) {
+                GUI.log('You need to <strong>Upgrade</strong> your firmware before you can view any of the tabs');
+                return;
+            }
+
             GUI.tab_switch_in_progress = true;
 
             GUI.tab_switch_cleanup(function () {