diff --git a/lyra/web/static/recorder.css b/lyra/web/static/recorder.css
index 21c3c1f..98d987f 100644
--- a/lyra/web/static/recorder.css
+++ b/lyra/web/static/recorder.css
@@ -7,9 +7,11 @@
   inset: 0;
   z-index: 1000;
   background: var(--bg-dark, #070707);
-  display: none;
   flex-direction: column;
 }
+/* :not(.open) outranks .rec-root's display:flex (added on mount), so closing the
+   overlay actually hides it instead of leaving an empty black screen. */
+.rec-overlay:not(.open) { display: none; }
 .rec-overlay.open { display: flex; }
 
 .rec-root {