diff --git a/src/lib/elements/element_manage_event_file_li_direct.svelte b/src/lib/elements/element_manage_event_file_li_direct.svelte
index a78de042..91b7f85a 100644
--- a/src/lib/elements/element_manage_event_file_li_direct.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/elements/element_manage_event_file_li_direct.svelte
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
     }: Props = $props();
 
     import { liveQuery } from 'dexie';
-    import { onMount } from 'svelte';
+    import { untrack } from 'svelte';
 
     import type { key_val } from '$lib/stores/ae_stores';
     import { ae_api } from '$lib/stores/ae_stores';
@@ -44,19 +44,26 @@
     // WHY: When a parent page loads with try_cache:false (e.g. presenter detail),
     // the fresh API data (including event_session_type_code) is NOT written to Dexie.
     // The liveQuery below then sees stale Dexie records missing that field, so
-    // the PDF→image convert button condition silently fails. Triggering a try_cache:true
-    // refresh on mount ensures fresh data is persisted and liveQuery reflects it.
-    onMount(() => {
-        if (link_to_id) {
+    // the PDF→image convert button condition silently fails.
+    //
+    // Using $effect (not onMount) because link_to_id arrives AFTER mount when the
+    // parent presenter liveQuery resolves — onMount fires too early and misses it.
+    // untrack() prevents the function body's internals from registering as deps.
+    $effect(() => {
+        if (!link_to_id) return;
+        const _id = link_to_id;
+        const _type = link_to_type;
+        const _cfg = $ae_api;
+        untrack(() => {
             events_func.load_ae_obj_li__event_file({
-                api_cfg: $ae_api,
-                for_obj_type: link_to_type,
-                for_obj_id: link_to_id,
+                api_cfg: _cfg,
+                for_obj_type: _type,
+                for_obj_id: _id,
                 enabled: 'all',
                 hidden: 'all',
                 try_cache: true
             });
-        }
+        });
     });
 
     let dq__where_val: string = `for_type`;