diff --git a/src/lib/updateChecker.svelte.ts b/src/lib/updateChecker.svelte.ts
index b59d21ba1..fe60fc3e7 100644
--- a/src/lib/updateChecker.svelte.ts
+++ b/src/lib/updateChecker.svelte.ts
@@ -41,6 +41,24 @@ class UpdateChecker {
     }
   });
 
+  // True only when a version check has succeeded and found no newer
+  // version. Stays false when the checker is disabled or the check failed,
+  // so the UI doesn't claim "up to date" without evidence.
+  public upToDate = $derived.by(() => {
+    if (
+      this.isEnabled &&
+      this.latestVersionInfo &&
+      this.sanitizedCurrentVersion
+    ) {
+      return !semver.gt(
+        this.latestVersionInfo.version,
+        this.sanitizedCurrentVersion,
+      );
+    } else {
+      return false;
+    }
+  });
+
   // A state that holds the `LatestVersionInfo` if this feature has
   // been enabled and if there is a newer version available.
   public newVersion = $derived.by(() => {
diff --git a/src/modals/Settings.svelte b/src/modals/Settings.svelte
index 00c927366..f1a7b69d9 100644
--- a/src/modals/Settings.svelte
+++ b/src/modals/Settings.svelte
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@
         · <ExternalLink href="https://radicle.dev/desktop">
           Update to {updateChecker.newVersion}
         </ExternalLink>
-      {:else}
+      {:else if updateChecker.upToDate}
         · Up to date
       {/if}
     {/if}