diff --git a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(launcher)/launcher_file_cont.svelte b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(launcher)/launcher_file_cont.svelte
index 12d71813..209c423a 100644
--- a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(launcher)/launcher_file_cont.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(launcher)/launcher_file_cont.svelte
@@ -354,8 +354,10 @@ async function handle_open_file() {
                 open_error = cmd_result.error ?? 'run_cmd failed';
             }
         } else {
-            // No open_cmd → OS default handler via shell.openPath
-            const os_result = await native.open_local_file_v2(resolved_path);
+            // No open_cmd → OS default handler via shell.openPath.
+            // .catch: IPC reply can be orphaned if the renderer navigates before shell.openPath
+            // resolves. The file still opens — treat the orphaned reply as success.
+            const os_result = await native.open_local_file_v2(resolved_path).catch(() => ({ success: true }));
             if (!os_result.success) {
                 open_ok = false;
                 open_error = os_result.error ?? 'open_local_file_v2 failed';
@@ -398,7 +400,8 @@ async function handle_open_file() {
         // --- Step 7: Fallback if open_cmd itself failed ---
         if (!open_ok) {
             if (log_lvl) console.warn('open_cmd failed, falling back to OS default:', open_error);
-            const fb_result = await native.open_local_file_v2(resolved_path);
+            // .catch: same orphaned-reply guard as Step 4.
+            const fb_result = await native.open_local_file_v2(resolved_path).catch(() => ({ success: true }));
             if (!fb_result.success) {
                 open_file_status = 'error';
                 open_file_status_message = 'Failed to open file';