diff --git a/drb-c2-core/app/internal/mqtt_handler.py b/drb-c2-core/app/internal/mqtt_handler.py
index ff5b8a8..c4b9b84 100644
--- a/drb-c2-core/app/internal/mqtt_handler.py
+++ b/drb-c2-core/app/internal/mqtt_handler.py
@@ -104,9 +104,13 @@ class MQTTHandler:
                 "lat": payload.get("lat", existing.get("lat", 0.0)),
                 "lon": payload.get("lon", existing.get("lon", 0.0)),
             }
-            # Only promote to online if already configured (don't overwrite explicit status)
-            if existing.get("configured") and existing.get("status") not in ("recording",):
-                updates["status"] = "online"
+            # Update status on checkin (don't clobber an active recording)
+            if existing.get("status") not in ("recording",):
+                if existing.get("configured"):
+                    updates["status"] = "online"
+                elif existing.get("approval_status") == "approved":
+                    # Approved but not yet configured — restore reachable status after reboot
+                    updates["status"] = "unconfigured"
             await fstore.doc_update("nodes", node_id, updates)
 
         # NOTE: discord_connected in checkins is informational only — do NOT release the