diff --git a/src/py/flwr/client/app.py b/src/py/flwr/client/app.py
index 9711c716f519..81bbee148c95 100644
--- a/src/py/flwr/client/app.py
+++ b/src/py/flwr/client/app.py
@@ -53,6 +53,13 @@ def run_client() -> None:
 
     # Obtain certificates
     if args.insecure:
+        if args.root_certificates is not None:
+            sys.exit(
+                "Conflicting options: The '--insecure' flag disables HTTPS, "
+                "but '--root-certificates' was also specified. Please remove "
+                "the '--root-certificates' option when running in insecure mode, "
+                "or omit '--insecure' to use HTTPS."
+            )
         log(WARN, "Option `--insecure` was set. Starting insecure HTTP client.")
         root_certificates = None
     else:
@@ -94,9 +101,8 @@ def _parse_args_client() -> argparse.ArgumentParser:
     parser.add_argument(
         "--insecure",
         action="store_true",
-        help="Run the client without HTTPS, regardless of whether certificate "
-        "paths are provided. By default, the client runs with HTTPS enabled. "
-        "Use this flag only if you understand the risks.",
+        help="Run the client without HTTPS. By default, the client runs with "
+        "HTTPS enabled. Use this flag only if you understand the risks.",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--root-certificates",
diff --git a/src/py/flwr/common/grpc.py b/src/py/flwr/common/grpc.py
index 5b8737e8c260..9d0543ea8c75 100644
--- a/src/py/flwr/common/grpc.py
+++ b/src/py/flwr/common/grpc.py
@@ -32,6 +32,14 @@ def create_channel(
     max_message_length: int = GRPC_MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH,
 ) -> grpc.Channel:
     """Create a gRPC channel, either secure or insecure."""
+    # Check for conflicting parameters
+    if insecure and root_certificates is not None:
+        raise ValueError(
+            "Invalid configuration: 'root_certificates' should not be provided "
+            "when 'insecure' is set to True. For an insecure connection, omit "
+            "'root_certificates', or set 'insecure' to False for a secure connection."
+        )
+
     # Possible options:
     # https://github.com/grpc/grpc/blob/v1.43.x/include/grpc/impl/codegen/grpc_types.h
     channel_options = [