diff --git a/server/api/studio-queue.get.ts b/server/api/studio-queue.get.ts
index 7120026..03e30fd 100644
--- a/server/api/studio-queue.get.ts
+++ b/server/api/studio-queue.get.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { listShotQueues, summarizeQueue } from '~/server/utils/shotQueue'
-import { listStudioJobs, summarizeStudioJob } from '~/server/utils/studioQueue'
+import { kickStudioQueue, listStudioJobs, summarizeStudioJob } from '~/server/utils/studioQueue'
 
 export default defineEventHandler((event) => {
   const { owner } = assertLibraryOwner(event)
@@ -54,10 +54,15 @@ export default defineEventHandler((event) => {
       .filter(queue => !claimed.has(queue.id) && queue.status !== 'complete')
       .map(summarizeQueue)
     : []
+  const waitingCount = jobs.filter(job => job.status === 'waiting').length
+  // Nudge the dispatcher whenever the UI polls a stalled waiting queue.
+  if (waitingCount > 0 && !jobs.some(job => job.status === 'running')) {
+    void kickStudioQueue()
+  }
   return {
     jobs,
     orphans,
-    waitingCount: jobs.filter(job => job.status === 'waiting').length,
+    waitingCount,
     paused: jobs.some(job => job.pausedByUser === true)
       || orphans.some(queue => queue.stopAfterCurrent === true && queue.status !== 'running'),
     willPause: jobs.some(job => (