diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/platform/updates.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/platform/updates.rs
index 622006cd6e..bcf6783cdb 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/platform/updates.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/platform/updates.rs
@@ -74,11 +74,12 @@ impl PdfCraftApp {
         #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
         {
             let Some(ctx) = self.ctx.clone() else { return };
-            let at_start = self.update_check_at_start;
+            // Settled on the first frame: a preference turned on later waits for the next start.
+            let at_start = std::mem::take(&mut self.updates.startup_check) && self.update_check_at_start;
             let updates = &mut self.updates;
             if std::mem::take(&mut updates.check_requested) {
                 updates.updater.check_now(&ctx);
-            } else if updates.startup_check && at_start {
+            } else if at_start {
                 updates.updater.check_at_start(&ctx);
             }
             updates.updater.tick(&ctx);
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs b/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs
index 469a42f805..e6cc09d7c5 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs
@@ -155,6 +155,17 @@ fn the_preference_keeps_the_check_at_start_from_reaching_the_network() {
     h.get_by_label_contains("PdfCraft 99.0.0 is available");
 }
 
+/// The setting is about starting: turning it on asks nothing until the next start.
+#[test]
+fn turning_the_check_at_start_on_waits_for_the_next_start() {
+    use std::sync::atomic::Ordering::SeqCst;
+    let (mut h, calls) = started_with(r#"{"update_check_at_start": false}"#);
+    h.run_steps(3);
+    h.state_mut().set_option("update_check_at_start", "true").unwrap();
+    run_until_asked(&mut h, &calls, std::time::Duration::from_millis(500));
+    assert_eq!(calls.load(SeqCst), 0, "nothing is asked this session");
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn preferences_turn_the_check_at_start_off() {
     let (mut h, _calls) = started_with(r#"{"update_check_at_start": true}"#);
diff --git a/parity/acrobat-features.toml b/parity/acrobat-features.toml
index 00b3dae2c2..4aef4fdcc6 100644
--- a/parity/acrobat-features.toml
+++ b/parity/acrobat-features.toml
@@ -1778,8 +1778,8 @@ milestone = "M3"
 status = "partial"
 commands = ["help.check_updates"]
 tools = []
-evidence = ["crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs::a_newer_release_is_offered_for_download", "crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs::an_up_to_date_or_failed_check_says_so", "crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs::the_check_at_start_offers_the_prompt_and_later_dismisses_it", "crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs::nothing_is_asked_until_the_user_checks", "crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs::the_preference_keeps_the_check_at_start_from_reaching_the_network", "crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs::settings_from_the_old_opt_in_leave_the_check_at_start_on"]
-notes = "asks GitHub Releases through craft-update at start (desktop app only) and on request, offers the release page, and updates and restarts in place where the install type allows it; an install waits while documents are unsaved; Preferences ▸ Check for updates when PdfCraft starts (update_check_at_start, on by default) turns the check at start off, leaving only the request from the Help menu"
+evidence = ["crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs::a_newer_release_is_offered_for_download", "crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs::an_up_to_date_or_failed_check_says_so", "crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs::the_check_at_start_offers_the_prompt_and_later_dismisses_it", "crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs::nothing_is_asked_until_the_user_checks", "crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs::turning_the_check_at_start_on_waits_for_the_next_start", "crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs::the_preference_keeps_the_check_at_start_from_reaching_the_network", "crates/ui-egui/tests/it/updates.rs::settings_from_the_old_opt_in_leave_the_check_at_start_on"]
+notes = "asks GitHub Releases through craft-update at start (desktop app only) and on request, offers the release page, and updates and restarts in place where the install type allows it; an install waits while documents are unsaved; Preferences ▸ Check for updates when PdfCraft starts (update_check_at_start, on by default) turns the check at start off, leaving only the request from the Help menu; turning it on takes effect at the next start"
 
 [[feature]]
 id = "view.single-key-accelerators"