diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/useTransitionPlayback.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/useTransitionPlayback.ts
index 08496ec..ccbff91 100644
--- a/frontend/src/hooks/useTransitionPlayback.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/useTransitionPlayback.ts
@@ -584,7 +584,11 @@ export function useTransitionPlayback(
         lastLoadedSourceUrlRef.current = playableSourceUrl;
         currentPlayableUrlRef.current = playableSourceUrl;
 
-        attemptPlay();
+        // Only attempt play for forward playback
+        // For reverse mode, wait for canplaythrough to trigger startReverse()
+        if (!isReverseMode) {
+          attemptPlay();
+        }
 
         startWatchdogTimerRef.current = setTimeout(() => {
           if (didStartPlaybackRef.current || didFinishRef.current) return;
@@ -632,7 +636,7 @@ export function useTransitionPlayback(
 
     const onCanPlay = () => {
       if (didFinishRef.current) return;
-      if (isReverseMode && didStartPlaybackRef.current) return;
+      if (isReverseMode) return; // Don't play for reverse mode
       attemptPlay();
     };