diff --git a/static/js/app.js b/static/js/app.js
index ee176c0..70e91a9 100644
--- a/static/js/app.js
+++ b/static/js/app.js
@@ -234,19 +234,10 @@ function showAddToast() {
 
 // ---------- Slideshow screensaver ----------
 
-async function initSlideshow() {
-    try {
-        const res = await fetch('/api/photos');
-        photos = await res.json();
-    } catch (e) {
-        console.error('Could not load photos:', e);
-    }
-
-    // Any interaction resets the inactivity timer (or dismisses the slideshow)
+function initSlideshow() {
     ['touchstart', 'click', 'mousemove', 'keydown'].forEach(evt => {
         document.addEventListener(evt, handleUserActivity, { passive: true });
     });
-
     resetInactivityTimer();
 }
 
@@ -260,21 +251,30 @@ function handleUserActivity() {
 
 function resetInactivityTimer() {
     clearTimeout(inactivityTimer);
-    if (photos.length > 0) {
-        inactivityTimer = setTimeout(showSlideshow, INACTIVITY_TIMEOUT);
-    }
+    inactivityTimer = setTimeout(showSlideshow, INACTIVITY_TIMEOUT);
 }
 
-function showSlideshow() {
+async function showSlideshow() {
+    // Fetch fresh each time so newly added photos appear without a restart
+    try {
+        const res = await fetch('/api/photos');
+        photos = await res.json();
+    } catch (e) {
+        console.error('Could not load photos:', e);
+    }
+
+    if (!photos.length) {
+        resetInactivityTimer();
+        return;
+    }
+
     slideshowActive = true;
     const overlay = document.getElementById('slideshow-overlay');
     overlay.classList.remove('hidden');
 
-    // Start from a random position in the shuffled list
     slideIndex = Math.floor(Math.random() * photos.length);
     activeSlot = 'a';
 
-    // Show first photo immediately; preload second into the inactive slot
     loadSlide('a', photos[slideIndex]);
     if (photos.length > 1) {
         loadSlide('b', photos[(slideIndex + 1) % photos.length]);