diff --git a/tools/chatgui/tests/test_radio_panel.cpp b/tools/chatgui/tests/test_radio_panel.cpp
index ffaef7f7..3df49b4a 100644
--- a/tools/chatgui/tests/test_radio_panel.cpp
+++ b/tools/chatgui/tests/test_radio_panel.cpp
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ extern "C" {
 static UTUN_INSTANCE instance{};
 static std::atomic<float> probability{0};
 static bool detectorAvailable = true;
+static bool failCapture;
 static int begins, ends, packets, inputs, outputs;
 
 extern "C" UTUN_INSTANCE* gui_bridge_get_inst() { return &instance; }
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ extern "C" ma_result __wrap_ma_context_init(const ma_backend*, ma_uint32, const
 }
 extern "C" ma_result __wrap_ma_device_start(ma_device* device) {
     if (device->type == ma_device_type_capture) ++inputs; else ++outputs;
+    if (failCapture && device->type == ma_device_type_capture) return MA_ERROR;
     return __real_ma_device_start(device);
 }
 
@@ -163,6 +165,19 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv) {
     await([&]() { return engine->vadAvailable(); });
     REQUIRE(engine->groupId() == 8 && vad->isChecked());
     engine->stop();
+    failCapture = true;
+    REQUIRE(engine->start(9) == 0);
+    REQUIRE(!engine->captureAvailable() && vad->isEnabled() && !ptt->isEnabled());
+    vad->click();
+    await([&]() { return !engine->settingsBusy() && !engine->vadEnabled(); });
+    REQUIRE(!engine->captureAvailable());
+    failCapture = false;
+    await([&]() { return engine->captureAvailable(); });
+    vad->click();
+    await([&]() { return !engine->settingsBusy() && engine->vadAvailable(); });
+    REQUIRE(vad->isChecked() && ptt->isEnabled());
+    qInfo("radio panel: unavailable microphone permits VAD settings; capture recovery restores controls PASS");
+    engine->stop();
     engine->loadSettings(directory.filePath("missing.cfg"));
     await([&]() { return !engine->settingsBusy(); });
     REQUIRE(!engine->applySettings({{"radio_vad_enabled", 0}}) && engine->vadEnabled() && !engine->settingsError().isEmpty());
@@ -170,7 +185,12 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv) {
         REQUIRE(QMetaObject::invokeMethod(button->menu(), "aboutToShow", Qt::DirectConnection));
         REQUIRE(!button->menu()->actions().isEmpty());
     }
-    panel.grab().save("/tmp/desktop-radio-panel.png");
+    engine->loadSettings(configPath);
+    await([&]() { return !engine->settingsBusy(); });
+    REQUIRE(engine->start(10) == 0 && engine->vadAvailable());
+    pump(100);
+    REQUIRE(panel.grab().save("/tmp/desktop-radio-panel.png"));
+    engine->stop();
     radio_audio_destroy(&instance);
     uasync_destroy(instance.ua, 0);
     instance.ua = nullptr;