diff --git a/Drivers/gdeq031t10-module/source/gdeq031t10.cpp b/Drivers/gdeq031t10-module/source/gdeq031t10.cpp
index 1ed82caf..3fd5309d 100644
--- a/Drivers/gdeq031t10-module/source/gdeq031t10.cpp
+++ b/Drivers/gdeq031t10-module/source/gdeq031t10.cpp
@@ -387,9 +387,6 @@ static error_t gdeq031t10_draw_bitmap(Device* device, int32_t x_start, int32_t y
 
     xSemaphoreTake(internal->panel_mutex, portMAX_DELAY);
 
-    // Work-around until partial updates are working
-    internal->force_full_refresh = true;
-
     if (!internal->display_on) {
         // Display is off (deep sleep). Drop the frame without touching the shadow: the
         // mismatch it leaves behind makes the frame redraw after the next power-on.
@@ -419,6 +416,11 @@ static error_t gdeq031t10_draw_bitmap(Device* device, int32_t x_start, int32_t y
         return ERROR_NONE; // panel already shows this frame; don't refresh needlessly
     }
 
+    // Work-around until partial updates are working. It has to stay below the unchanged-frame
+    // check: a repaint that renders identical pixels must cost nothing, or a periodically
+    // repainting app pins the panel in a ~1.2s full-refresh loop.
+    internal->force_full_refresh = true;
+
     if (internal->force_full_refresh) {
         LOG_I(TAG, "draw_bitmap: refresh_full");
         refresh_full(internal, config->mirror_180, config->refresh_mode, render_bitmap);