diff --git a/changelog/26985.txt b/changelog/26985.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7894bd3d40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog/26985.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+```release-note:bug
+ui: Prevent perpetual loading screen when Vault needs initialization
+```
diff --git a/ui/app/routes/vault/cluster.js b/ui/app/routes/vault/cluster.js
index 6620b04472..74fc23cc52 100644
--- a/ui/app/routes/vault/cluster.js
+++ b/ui/app/routes/vault/cluster.js
@@ -123,6 +123,10 @@ export default Route.extend(ModelBoundaryRoute, ClusterRoute, {
   afterModel(model, transition) {
     this._super(...arguments);
     this.currentCluster.setCluster(model);
+    if (model.needsInit && this.auth.currentToken) {
+      // clear token to prevent infinite load state
+      this.auth.deleteCurrentToken();
+    }
 
     // Check that namespaces is enabled and if not,
     // clear the namespace by transition to this route w/o it