diff --git a/llama_stack/providers/utils/inference/model_registry.py b/llama_stack/providers/utils/inference/model_registry.py
index f4f28c1f3..bb6fe162f 100644
--- a/llama_stack/providers/utils/inference/model_registry.py
+++ b/llama_stack/providers/utils/inference/model_registry.py
@@ -82,35 +82,35 @@ class ModelRegistryHelper(ModelsProtocolPrivate):
     def get_llama_model(self, provider_model_id: str) -> str | None:
         return self.provider_id_to_llama_model_map.get(provider_model_id, None)
 
-    async def query_available_models(self) -> list[str]:
+    async def check_model_availability(self, model: str) -> bool:
         """
-        Return a list of available models.
+        Check if a specific model is available from the provider (non-static check).
 
-        This is for subclassing purposes, so providers can lookup a list of
-        of currently available models.
+        This is for subclassing purposes, so providers can check if a specific
+        model is currently available for use through dynamic means (e.g., API calls).
 
-        This is combined with the statically configured model entries in
-        `self.alias_to_provider_id_map` to determine which models are
-        available for registration.
+        This method should NOT check statically configured model entries in
+        `self.alias_to_provider_id_map` - that is handled separately in register_model.
 
-        Default implementation returns no models.
+        Default implementation returns False (no dynamic models available).
 
-        :return: A list of model identifiers (provider_model_ids).
+        :param model: The model identifier to check.
+        :return: True if the model is available dynamically, False otherwise.
         """
-        return []
+        return False
 
     async def register_model(self, model: Model) -> Model:
         # Check if model is supported in static configuration
         supported_model_id = self.get_provider_model_id(model.provider_resource_id)
 
-        # If not found in static config, check if it's available from provider
+        # If not found in static config, check if it's available dynamically from provider
         if not supported_model_id:
-            available_models = await self.query_available_models()
-            if model.provider_resource_id in available_models:
+            if await self.check_model_availability(model.provider_resource_id):
                 supported_model_id = model.provider_resource_id
             else:
-                # Combine static and dynamic models for error message
-                all_supported_models = list(self.alias_to_provider_id_map.keys()) + available_models
+                # note: we cannot provide a complete list of supported models without
+                #       getting a complete list from the provider, so we return "..."
+                all_supported_models = [*self.alias_to_provider_id_map.keys(), "..."]
                 raise UnsupportedModelError(model.provider_resource_id, all_supported_models)
 
         provider_resource_id = self.get_provider_model_id(model.model_id)
diff --git a/tests/unit/providers/utils/test_model_registry.py b/tests/unit/providers/utils/test_model_registry.py
index c7f7eb299..768c3572b 100644
--- a/tests/unit/providers/utils/test_model_registry.py
+++ b/tests/unit/providers/utils/test_model_registry.py
@@ -94,8 +94,8 @@ class MockModelRegistryHelperWithDynamicModels(ModelRegistryHelper):
         super().__init__(model_entries)
         self._available_models = available_models
 
-    async def query_available_models(self) -> list[str]:
-        return self._available_models
+    async def check_model_availability(self, model: str) -> bool:
+        return model in self._available_models
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
@@ -195,16 +195,16 @@ async def test_unregister_model_during_init(helper: ModelRegistryHelper, known_m
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_register_model_from_query_available_models(
+async def test_register_model_from_check_model_availability(
     helper_with_dynamic_models: MockModelRegistryHelperWithDynamicModels, dynamic_model: Model
 ) -> None:
-    """Test that models returned by query_available_models can be registered."""
+    """Test that models returned by check_model_availability can be registered."""
     # Verify the model is not in static config
     assert helper_with_dynamic_models.get_provider_model_id(dynamic_model.provider_resource_id) is None
 
-    # But it should be available via query_available_models
-    available_models = await helper_with_dynamic_models.query_available_models()
-    assert dynamic_model.provider_resource_id in available_models
+    # But it should be available via check_model_availability
+    is_available = await helper_with_dynamic_models.check_model_availability(dynamic_model.provider_resource_id)
+    assert is_available
 
     # Registration should succeed
     registered_model = await helper_with_dynamic_models.register_model(dynamic_model)
@@ -224,17 +224,17 @@ async def test_register_model_not_in_static_or_dynamic(
     # Verify the model is not in static config
     assert helper_with_dynamic_models.get_provider_model_id(unknown_model.provider_resource_id) is None
 
-    # And not in dynamic models
-    available_models = await helper_with_dynamic_models.query_available_models()
-    assert unknown_model.provider_resource_id not in available_models
+    # And not available via check_model_availability
+    is_available = await helper_with_dynamic_models.check_model_availability(unknown_model.provider_resource_id)
+    assert not is_available
 
     # Registration should fail with comprehensive error message
     with pytest.raises(Exception) as exc_info:  # UnsupportedModelError
         await helper_with_dynamic_models.register_model(unknown_model)
 
-    # Error should include both static and dynamic models
+    # Error should include static models and "..." for dynamic models
     error_str = str(exc_info.value)
-    assert "dynamic-provider-id" in error_str  # dynamic model should be in error
+    assert "..." in error_str  # "..." should be in error message
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio