diff --git a/openpilot/selfdrive/ui/ui_state.py b/openpilot/selfdrive/ui/ui_state.py
index 4d93e1aacb..124852e4ba 100644
--- a/openpilot/selfdrive/ui/ui_state.py
+++ b/openpilot/selfdrive/ui/ui_state.py
@@ -220,6 +220,7 @@ class UIState(UIStateSP):
                              ChestnutState.UNCOMPILED if detected else ChestnutState.DISCONNECTED)
       return
 
+    self.chestnut_present = self.chestnut_present or detected
     model_seen = self.sm.recv_frame["modelV2"] > self.started_frame
     if not self.chestnut_present:
       self.chestnut_state = ChestnutState.DISCONNECTED