diff --git a/openpilot/selfdrive/modeld/helpers.py b/openpilot/selfdrive/modeld/helpers.py
index 0d88e12a6a..9ac772e697 100644
--- a/openpilot/selfdrive/modeld/helpers.py
+++ b/openpilot/selfdrive/modeld/helpers.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import sys
+import time
 from pathlib import Path
 
 from openpilot.common.hardware import AGNOS
@@ -29,6 +30,14 @@ def chestnut_present() -> bool:
       pass
   return False
 
+def wait_for_chestnut(timeout: float = 10.) -> None:
+  # the cable is detected before chestnut enumerates
+  st = time.monotonic()
+  while not chestnut_present():
+    if time.monotonic() - st > timeout:
+      raise TimeoutError("chestnut did not enumerate")
+    time.sleep(0.1)
+
 def chestnut_compiled() -> bool:
   path = modeld_pkl_path(chestnut=True)
   return path.is_file() and all(
diff --git a/openpilot/selfdrive/modeld/modeld.py b/openpilot/selfdrive/modeld/modeld.py
index f33684dc47..ee76d72f46 100755
--- a/openpilot/selfdrive/modeld/modeld.py
+++ b/openpilot/selfdrive/modeld/modeld.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from msgq.visionipc import VisionIpcClient, VisionBuf
 from opendbc.car.car_helpers import get_demo_car_params
 from openpilot.common.swaglog import cloudlog
 from openpilot.common.params import Params
+from openpilot.common.hardware.usb import cable_connected
 from openpilot.common.filter_simple import FirstOrderFilter
 from openpilot.common.realtime import config_realtime_process, DT_MDL
 from openpilot.common.transformations.camera import DEVICE_CAMERAS
@@ -38,7 +39,7 @@ from openpilot.selfdrive.controls.lib.drive_helpers import get_accel_from_plan,
 from openpilot.selfdrive.modeld.parse_model_outputs import Parser
 from openpilot.selfdrive.modeld.fill_model_msg import fill_model_msg, fill_driving_model_data, fill_pose_msg, PublishState
 from openpilot.selfdrive.modeld.constants import ModelConstants, Plan
-from openpilot.selfdrive.modeld.helpers import MODELS_DIR, chestnut_present, chestnut_compiled, modeld_pkl_path, load_oob
+from openpilot.selfdrive.modeld.helpers import MODELS_DIR, chestnut_present, chestnut_compiled, modeld_pkl_path, load_oob, wait_for_chestnut
 
 SEND_RAW_PRED = os.getenv('SEND_RAW_PRED')
 
@@ -228,7 +229,7 @@ class ModelState:
 def main(demo=False):
   cloudlog.warning("modeld init")
 
-  CHESTNUT = chestnut_present() and chestnut_compiled()
+  CHESTNUT = chestnut_compiled() and (chestnut_present() or cable_connected())
   if CHESTNUT:
     os.environ['HCQDEV_WAIT_TIMEOUT_MS'] = '3000'
   params = Params()
@@ -268,6 +269,7 @@ def main(demo=False):
     def load_big():
       nonlocal big_model
       try:
+        wait_for_chestnut()
         m = ModelState(vipc_client_main.width, vipc_client_main.height, True)
         m.warmup()
         big_model = m
diff --git a/openpilot/selfdrive/ui/ui_state.py b/openpilot/selfdrive/ui/ui_state.py
index 08f63228b7..fecafc6b46 100644
--- a/openpilot/selfdrive/ui/ui_state.py
+++ b/openpilot/selfdrive/ui/ui_state.py
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ class UIState:
         self.status = UIStatus.DISENGAGED
         self.started_frame = self.sm.frame
         self.started_time = time.monotonic()
-        self.chestnut_present = self.sm["deviceState"].chestnutPresent
+        self.chestnut_present = self.sm["deviceState"].chestnutPresent or (self.chestnut_compiled and self.usb_connected)
 
       for callback in self._offroad_transition_callbacks:
         callback()
@@ -222,10 +222,10 @@ class UIState:
       self.chestnut_state = ChestnutState.DISCONNECTED
     elif not self.chestnut_compiled:
       self.chestnut_state = ChestnutState.UNCOMPILED
-    elif self.chestnut_state == ChestnutState.FAILED or not detected or (model_seen and (not self.sm.alive["modelV2"] or not self.sm["modelV2"].big)):
-      self.chestnut_state = ChestnutState.FAILED
     elif self.chestnut_loading or not model_seen:
       self.chestnut_state = ChestnutState.LOADING
+    elif self.chestnut_state == ChestnutState.FAILED or not detected or (model_seen and (not self.sm.alive["modelV2"] or not self.sm["modelV2"].big)):
+      self.chestnut_state = ChestnutState.FAILED
     elif self.chestnut_active is False:
       self.chestnut_state = ChestnutState.FAILED
     else: