diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp
index aeb0ae8c..e4ee3b02 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp
@@ -2391,19 +2391,24 @@ switch(t){
     buzzer.play("MsgRcv3:d=4,o=6,b=200:32e,32g,32b,16c7");
     break;
   case UIEventType::channelMessage: {
-    bool play = true;
+    bool play = false;
+    bool force = false;
     if (_last_notif_ch_idx >= 0 && _node_prefs) {
       uint64_t mask = 1ULL << _last_notif_ch_idx;
       if (_node_prefs->ch_notif_override & mask) {
-        play = !(_node_prefs->ch_notif_muted & mask);  // explicit override
+        if (!(_node_prefs->ch_notif_muted & mask)) { play = true; force = true; }  // state 2: force-on
+        // state 1: muted — play stays false
       } else {
-        play = !buzzer.isQuiet();  // follow global
+        play = !buzzer.isQuiet();  // state 0: follow global
       }
     } else {
       play = !buzzer.isQuiet();
     }
     _last_notif_ch_idx = -1;
-    if (play) buzzer.play("kerplop:d=16,o=6,b=120:32g#,32c#");
+    if (play) {
+      if (force) buzzer.playForced("kerplop:d=16,o=6,b=120:32g#,32c#");
+      else       buzzer.play("kerplop:d=16,o=6,b=120:32g#,32c#");
+    }
     break;
   }
   case UIEventType::ack:
diff --git a/src/helpers/ui/buzzer.cpp b/src/helpers/ui/buzzer.cpp
index 29fb3e26..983e5c93 100644
--- a/src/helpers/ui/buzzer.cpp
+++ b/src/helpers/ui/buzzer.cpp
@@ -15,18 +15,18 @@ void genericBuzzer::begin() {
 }
 
 void genericBuzzer::play(const char *melody) {
-    if (isPlaying())   // interrupt existing
-    {
-        rtttl::stop();
-    }
-
+    if (isPlaying()) rtttl::stop();
     if (_is_quiet) return;
-
-    rtttl::begin(PIN_BUZZER,melody);
+    rtttl::begin(PIN_BUZZER, melody);
 //    Serial.print("DBG: Playing melody - isQuiet: ");
 //    Serial.println(isQuiet());
 }
 
+void genericBuzzer::playForced(const char *melody) {
+    if (isPlaying()) rtttl::stop();
+    rtttl::begin(PIN_BUZZER, melody);
+}
+
 bool genericBuzzer::isPlaying() {
     return rtttl::isPlaying();
 }
diff --git a/src/helpers/ui/buzzer.h b/src/helpers/ui/buzzer.h
index 0a500552..ae040814 100644
--- a/src/helpers/ui/buzzer.h
+++ b/src/helpers/ui/buzzer.h
@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@ class genericBuzzer
 {
     public:
         void begin();  // set up buzzer port
-        void play(const char *melody); // Generic play function
+        void play(const char *melody);
+        void playForced(const char *melody);  // play regardless of quiet state
         void loop();  // loop driven-nonblocking
         void startup();  // play startup sound
         void shutdown();  // play shutdown sound