diff --git a/src/lib/components/Controls.svelte b/src/lib/components/Controls.svelte
index d3679eb..0a52ad8 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/Controls.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/Controls.svelte
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@
       } else {
         await backendStore.apiPost("/api/start");
       }
+      // Poll status to update UI immediately instead of waiting
+      // for WebSocket broadcast (which can be delayed or missed)
+      await backendStore.pollStatus();
     } catch (err) {
       console.error("Failed to toggle transcription:", err);
     } finally {
diff --git a/src/lib/stores/backend.svelte.ts b/src/lib/stores/backend.svelte.ts
index 4939b0b..12adf57 100644
--- a/src/lib/stores/backend.svelte.ts
+++ b/src/lib/stores/backend.svelte.ts
@@ -302,6 +302,7 @@ export const backendStore = {
   setPort,
   connect: connectWebSocket,
   disconnect,
+  pollStatus,
   apiUrl,
   apiFetch,
   apiGet,