diff --git a/cmd/tui/model.go b/cmd/tui/model.go
index 6a13686..4baa32a 100644
--- a/cmd/tui/model.go
+++ b/cmd/tui/model.go
@@ -706,6 +706,17 @@ func (m *Model) handleKeyPress(msg tea.KeyMsg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 			state := "OFF"
 			if m.vadEnabled {
 				state = "ON"
+				// Ensure capturer is running if VAD is on
+				if m.audioCapturer != nil && !m.audioCapturer.IsRunning() {
+					if err := m.audioCapturer.Start(); err != nil {
+						m.addLog("Error starting VAD capture: %v", err)
+					}
+				}
+			} else {
+				// Stop if PTT is also off
+				if !m.isPTT && m.audioCapturer != nil && m.audioCapturer.IsRunning() {
+					m.audioCapturer.Stop()
+				}
 			}
 			m.addLog("Voice Activation (Gate): %s", state)
 			return m, nil
@@ -714,12 +725,15 @@ func (m *Model) handleKeyPress(msg tea.KeyMsg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 			// Toggle voice (PTT)
 			m.isPTT = !m.isPTT
 			if m.isPTT {
-				if m.audioCapturer != nil {
-					m.audioCapturer.Start()
+				if m.audioCapturer != nil && !m.audioCapturer.IsRunning() {
+					if err := m.audioCapturer.Start(); err != nil {
+						m.addLog("Audio capture error: %v", err)
+					}
 				}
 				m.addLog("🎤 Transmitting...")
 			} else {
-				if m.audioCapturer != nil {
+				// Stop only if VAD is also off
+				if !m.vadEnabled && m.audioCapturer != nil && m.audioCapturer.IsRunning() {
 					m.audioCapturer.Stop()
 				}
 				m.addLog("🎤 Stopped transmitting")