diff --git a/apps/web/src/components/timeline/TimelineView.tsx b/apps/web/src/components/timeline/TimelineView.tsx
index 3e5a399..8767b5b 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/components/timeline/TimelineView.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/components/timeline/TimelineView.tsx
@@ -698,16 +698,16 @@ function TimelineViewContent({
     };
   }, []);
 
-  // Scroll to today the first time the canvas has its full width (after initial data load).
-  // Depends on totalCanvasWidth so it fires after isInitialLoading → false renders the canvas.
+  // Scroll to today the first time the canvas is in the DOM (isInitialLoading → false).
+  // totalCanvasWidth is non-zero before data loads, so it can't be used as the trigger.
   useLayoutEffect(() => {
-    if (totalCanvasWidth === 0) return;
+    if (isInitialLoading) return;
     if (hasScrolledToTodayOnLoad.current) return;
     const el = scrollContainerRef.current;
     if (!el) return;
     el.scrollLeft = toLeft(today);
     hasScrolledToTodayOnLoad.current = true;
-  }, [totalCanvasWidth, toLeft, today]);
+  }, [isInitialLoading, toLeft, today]);
 
   // Apply scroll compensation synchronously after the canvas grows (left-extend or Today button).
   useLayoutEffect(() => {