diff --git a/web/i18n/en/settings.json b/web/i18n/en/settings.json
index fba788e2..0537982f 100644
--- a/web/i18n/en/settings.json
+++ b/web/i18n/en/settings.json
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 
     "audio.bitrate": "audio bitrate",
     "audio.bitrate.kbps": "kb/s",
-    "audio.bitrate.description": "bitrate applies only to audio conversion. cobalt can't improve the source audio quality, so choosing a bitrate over 128kbps may inflate the file size with no audible difference. perceived quality may vary by format.",
+    "audio.bitrate.description": "bitrate is applied only when converting audio to a lossy format. cobalt can't improve the source audio quality, so choosing a bitrate over 128kbps may inflate the file size with no audible difference. perceived quality may vary by format.",
 
     "audio.youtube.dub": "youtube",
     "audio.youtube.dub.title": "use browser language for dubbed videos",
diff --git a/web/src/routes/settings/audio/+page.svelte b/web/src/routes/settings/audio/+page.svelte
index 8ea9f34a..eb0ac679 100644
--- a/web/src/routes/settings/audio/+page.svelte
+++ b/web/src/routes/settings/audio/+page.svelte
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 <script lang="ts">
+    import settings from "$lib/state/settings";
     import { t } from "$lib/i18n/translations";
 
     import { audioFormatOptions, audioBitrateOptions } from "$lib/types/settings";
@@ -23,7 +24,11 @@
     </Switcher>
 </SettingsCategory>
 
-<SettingsCategory sectionId="bitrate" title={$t("settings.audio.bitrate")}>
+<SettingsCategory 
+    sectionId="bitrate" 
+    title={$t("settings.audio.bitrate")}
+    disabled={["wav", "best"].includes($settings.save.audioFormat)}
+>
     <Switcher big={true} description={$t("settings.audio.bitrate.description")}>
         {#each audioBitrateOptions as value}
             <SettingsButton