diff --git a/pikit_api/releases.py b/pikit_api/releases.py
index 5bd9c6c..4d044d5 100644
--- a/pikit_api/releases.py
+++ b/pikit_api/releases.py
@@ -536,8 +536,9 @@ def _install_manifest(manifest: Dict[str, Any], meta: Optional[Dict[str, Any]],
         shutil.rmtree(API_PACKAGE_DIR, ignore_errors=True)
         shutil.copytree(staged_pkg, API_PACKAGE_DIR, dirs_exist_ok=True)
 
-    for svc in ("pikit-api.service", "dietpi-dashboard-frontend.service"):
-        subprocess.run(["systemctl", "restart", svc], check=False)
+    # Restart frontend to pick up new assets; avoid restarting this API process
+    # mid-apply to prevent leaving state in_progress.
+    subprocess.run(["systemctl", "restart", "dietpi-dashboard-frontend.service"], check=False)
 
     VERSION_FILE.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
     VERSION_FILE.write_text(str(latest))