diff --git a/app/models/broadcast_message.py b/app/models/broadcast_message.py
index 3385ccc08..3339c07ff 100644
--- a/app/models/broadcast_message.py
+++ b/app/models/broadcast_message.py
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ class BroadcastMessage(JSONModel):
     def reference(self):
         if self.template_id:
             return self._dict['template_name']
-        return self._dict['reference']
+        return self._dict['cap_event'] or self._dict['reference']
 
     @property
     def template(self):
diff --git a/tests/__init__.py b/tests/__init__.py
index 2dca4e6d3..58e67ec82 100644
--- a/tests/__init__.py
+++ b/tests/__init__.py
@@ -684,6 +684,7 @@ def broadcast_message_json(
     simple_polygons=None,
     content=None,
     reference=None,
+    cap_event=None,
     template_name='Example template',
 ):
     return {
@@ -696,6 +697,7 @@ def broadcast_message_json(
         'template_name': template_name,
         'content': content or 'This is a test',
         'reference': reference,
+        'cap_event': cap_event,
 
         'personalisation': {},
         'areas': areas or {
diff --git a/tests/app/main/views/test_broadcast.py b/tests/app/main/views/test_broadcast.py
index 8d83ca66d..239f7630f 100644
--- a/tests/app/main/views/test_broadcast.py
+++ b/tests/app/main/views/test_broadcast.py
@@ -1811,12 +1811,19 @@ def test_view_broadcast_message_shows_correct_highlighted_navigation(
     )
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('extra_broadcast_json_fields', (
+    # These should be ignored for broadcasts with a template
+    {'reference': 'foo'},
+    {'cap_event': 'bar'},
+    {},
+))
 def test_view_pending_broadcast(
     mocker,
     client_request,
     service_one,
     fake_uuid,
     active_user_approve_broadcasts_permission,
+    extra_broadcast_json_fields,
 ):
     broadcast_creator = create_active_user_create_broadcasts_permissions(with_unique_id=True)
     mocker.patch(
@@ -1828,6 +1835,7 @@ def test_view_pending_broadcast(
             created_by_id=broadcast_creator['id'],
             finishes_at=None,
             status='pending-approval',
+            **extra_broadcast_json_fields
         ),
     )
     client_request.login(active_user_approve_broadcasts_permission)
@@ -1866,12 +1874,31 @@ def test_view_pending_broadcast(
     )
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('extra_broadcast_json_fields, expected_banner_text', (
+    ({'reference': 'No template test'}, (
+        'Test User Create Broadcasts Permission wants to broadcast No template test '
+        'No phones will get this alert. '
+        'Start broadcasting now Reject this alert'
+    )),
+    ({'cap_event': 'No template test'}, (
+        'Test User Create Broadcasts Permission wants to broadcast No template test '
+        'No phones will get this alert. '
+        'Start broadcasting now Reject this alert'
+    )),
+    ({'cap_event': 'EVENT', 'reference': 'REFERENCE'}, (
+        'Test User Create Broadcasts Permission wants to broadcast EVENT '
+        'No phones will get this alert. '
+        'Start broadcasting now Reject this alert'
+    )),
+))
 def test_view_pending_broadcast_without_template(
     mocker,
     client_request,
     service_one,
     fake_uuid,
     active_user_approve_broadcasts_permission,
+    extra_broadcast_json_fields,
+    expected_banner_text,
 ):
     broadcast_creator = create_active_user_create_broadcasts_permissions(with_unique_id=True)
     mocker.patch(
@@ -1883,8 +1910,8 @@ def test_view_pending_broadcast_without_template(
             created_by_id=broadcast_creator['id'],
             finishes_at=None,
             status='pending-approval',
-            reference='No template test',
             content='Uh-oh',
+            **extra_broadcast_json_fields,
         ),
     )
     client_request.login(active_user_approve_broadcasts_permission)
@@ -1902,11 +1929,8 @@ def test_view_pending_broadcast_without_template(
 
     assert (
         normalize_spaces(page.select_one('.banner').text)
-    ) == (
-        'Test User Create Broadcasts Permission wants to broadcast No template test '
-        'No phones will get this alert. '
-        'Start broadcasting now Reject this alert'
-    )
+    ) == expected_banner_text
+
     assert (
         normalize_spaces(page.select_one('.broadcast-message-wrapper').text)
     ) == (