diff --git a/modules/HoverPanel.qml b/modules/HoverPanel.qml
index 10635a9..efe889b 100644
--- a/modules/HoverPanel.qml
+++ b/modules/HoverPanel.qml
@@ -120,6 +120,10 @@ PanelWindow {
 
     function _show() {
         _updatePosition();
+        // Explicitly set y before animating — avoids the y:-height binding (live, depends on
+        // _panelColumn.height) surviving a 0→0 no-op animation when layout isn't done yet.
+        panelContainer.y = -(panelContainer.height > 0 ? panelContainer.height : 400);
+        panelContainer.opacity = 0;
         _winVisible = true;
         hideAnim.stop();
         showAnim.start();
@@ -229,7 +233,7 @@ PanelWindow {
     Item {
         id: panelContainer
         x: 0
-        y: -height
+        y: 0
         width: root.contentWidth
         height: _panelColumn.height
         opacity: 0