diff --git a/frappe/database/database.py b/frappe/database/database.py
index a9d1ddc3bb..5958bdb927 100644
--- a/frappe/database/database.py
+++ b/frappe/database/database.py
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ class Database:
 			elif self.is_read_only_mode_error(e):
 				frappe.throw(
 					_(
-						"Site is running in read only mode, this action can not be performed right now. Please try again later."
+						"Site is running in read only mode for maintenance or site update, this action can not be performed right now. Please try again later."
 					),
 					title=_("In Read Only Mode"),
 					exc=frappe.InReadOnlyMode,
diff --git a/frappe/desk/doctype/notification_settings/notification_settings.py b/frappe/desk/doctype/notification_settings/notification_settings.py
index 801d512fe7..cd85c7d06d 100644
--- a/frappe/desk/doctype/notification_settings/notification_settings.py
+++ b/frappe/desk/doctype/notification_settings/notification_settings.py
@@ -92,4 +92,7 @@ def get_permission_query_conditions(user):
 
 @frappe.whitelist()
 def set_seen_value(value, user):
+	if frappe.flags.read_only:
+		return
+
 	frappe.db.set_value("Notification Settings", user, "seen", value, update_modified=False)
diff --git a/frappe/public/js/frappe/ui/toolbar/navbar.html b/frappe/public/js/frappe/ui/toolbar/navbar.html
index ee070d4378..451a4e7099 100644
--- a/frappe/public/js/frappe/ui/toolbar/navbar.html
+++ b/frappe/public/js/frappe/ui/toolbar/navbar.html
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 		<div class="collapse navbar-collapse justify-content-end">
 			<form class="form-inline fill-width justify-content-end" role="search" onsubmit="return false;">
 				{% if (frappe.boot.read_only) { %}
-					<span class="indicator-pill yellow no-indicator-dot" title="{%= __("Your site is getting upgraded.") %}">
+					<span class="indicator-pill yellow no-indicator-dot" title="{%= __("Your site is undergoing maintenance or being updated.") %}">
 						{%= __("Read Only Mode") %}
 					</span>
 				{% } %}