diff --git a/pitch-deck/lib/hooks/usePresenterMode.ts b/pitch-deck/lib/hooks/usePresenterMode.ts
index cd157fc..5489854 100644
--- a/pitch-deck/lib/hooks/usePresenterMode.ts
+++ b/pitch-deck/lib/hooks/usePresenterMode.ts
@@ -313,6 +313,7 @@ export function usePresenterMode({
     clearTimer()
     cancelSpeech()
     setState('presenting')
+    stateRef.current = 'presenting'
 
     const slideIdx = slideIndexRef.current
     const script = getScriptForIndex(slideIdx)
@@ -345,8 +346,10 @@ export function usePresenterMode({
 
   const resume = useCallback(() => {
     setState('resuming')
+    stateRef.current = 'resuming'
     timerRef.current = setTimeout(() => {
       setState('presenting')
+      stateRef.current = 'presenting' // Sync ref immediately before calling advance
       advanceRef.current()
     }, 2000)
   }, [])