diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget.rs
index cc99aef7cfd..5ef9421bcaa 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget.rs
@@ -2080,6 +2080,7 @@ impl ChatWidget {
 
     pub(crate) fn handle_exec_begin_now(&mut self, ev: ExecCommandBeginEvent) {
         // Ensure the status indicator is visible while the command runs.
+        self.bottom_pane.ensure_status_indicator();
         self.running_commands.insert(
             ev.call_id.clone(),
             RunningCommand {
diff --git a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/tests.rs b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/tests.rs
index ea0cd43636b..edb7825f83f 100644
--- a/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/tests.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget/tests.rs
@@ -1786,6 +1786,25 @@ async fn streaming_final_answer_keeps_task_running_state() {
     assert!(!chat.bottom_pane.quit_shortcut_hint_visible());
 }
 
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn exec_begin_restores_status_indicator_after_preamble() {
+    let (mut chat, mut rx, _op_rx) = make_chatwidget_manual(None).await;
+
+    chat.on_task_started();
+    assert_eq!(chat.bottom_pane.status_indicator_visible(), true);
+
+    chat.on_agent_message_delta("Preamble line\n".to_string());
+    chat.on_commit_tick();
+    drain_insert_history(&mut rx);
+
+    assert_eq!(chat.bottom_pane.status_indicator_visible(), false);
+    assert_eq!(chat.bottom_pane.is_task_running(), true);
+
+    begin_exec(&mut chat, "call-1", "echo hi");
+
+    assert_eq!(chat.bottom_pane.status_indicator_visible(), true);
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn ctrl_c_shutdown_works_with_caps_lock() {
     let (mut chat, mut rx, _op_rx) = make_chatwidget_manual(None).await;