diff --git a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/ae_comp__badge_search.svelte b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/ae_comp__badge_search.svelte
index 44f1b15c..385d07a3 100644
--- a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/ae_comp__badge_search.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/ae_comp__badge_search.svelte
@@ -81,13 +81,13 @@ function handle_search_trigger() {
 let show_remote_first_confirm = $state(false);
 
 function handle_remote_first_click(e: MouseEvent) {
-    // Always manage state manually so the checkbox never flickers mid-handler.
-    e.preventDefault();
     const checkbox = e.currentTarget as HTMLInputElement;
     if (checkbox.checked) {
-        // User wants to enable — show confirmation first.
+        // User is enabling — hold the checkbox visually unchecked until confirmed.
+        e.preventDefault();
         show_remote_first_confirm = true;
     } else {
+        // User is disabling — browser already toggled the DOM to unchecked; just sync the store.
         badges_loc.current.qry__remote_first = false;
         show_remote_first_confirm = false;
         handle_search_trigger();