diff --git a/internal/daemon/daemon.go b/internal/daemon/daemon.go
index 24cb021e..c8d4d74c 100755
--- a/internal/daemon/daemon.go
+++ b/internal/daemon/daemon.go
@@ -436,7 +436,9 @@ func (d *Daemon) checkDeaconHeartbeat() {
 		if err := d.tmux.KillSessionWithProcesses(sessionName); err != nil {
 			d.logger.Printf("Error killing stuck Deacon: %v", err)
 		}
-		// ensureDeaconRunning will restart on next heartbeat
+		// Spawn new Deacon immediately instead of waiting for next heartbeat
+		// (kill may fail if session disappeared between check and kill)
+		d.ensureDeaconRunning()
 	} else {
 		// Stuck but not critically - nudge to wake up
 		d.logger.Printf("Deacon stuck for %s - nudging session", age.Round(time.Minute))