diff --git a/org/channel-tui-main.org b/org/channel-tui-main.org
index 158ce35..3de7e7c 100644
--- a/org/channel-tui-main.org
+++ b/org/channel-tui-main.org
@@ -923,8 +923,10 @@ Returns T on success, nil on failure. Does NOT wait or retry."
                    (loop while (and (st :running) (not (st :connected)))
                          do (connect-daemon)
                          (unless (st :connected) (sleep 5))))
-                 :name "daemon-auto-connect"))
-           (loop while (st :running) do
+                  :name "daemon-auto-connect"))
+            ;; Force initial render before entering input loop
+            (redraw be w h)
+            (loop while (st :running) do
                (dolist (ev (drain-queue))
                  (cond
                    ((eq (getf ev :type) :daemon)