diff --git a/web/src/plugins/radio/RadioTab.tsx b/web/src/plugins/radio/RadioTab.tsx
index 06f7af8..87a50b7 100644
--- a/web/src/plugins/radio/RadioTab.tsx
+++ b/web/src/plugins/radio/RadioTab.tsx
@@ -163,17 +163,36 @@ export default function RadioTab({ data }: { data: any }) {
     }
   }, [theme]);
 
-  // ── Helper: pause globe rotation for 5s ──
+  // ── Helper: pause globe rotation for 5s (only resumes if no panel open) ──
+  const selectedPlaceRef = useRef(selectedPlace);
+  selectedPlaceRef.current = selectedPlace;
+  const showFavoritesRef = useRef(showFavorites);
+  showFavoritesRef.current = showFavorites;
+
   const pauseRotation = useCallback(() => {
     const controls = globeRef.current?.controls() as any;
     if (controls) controls.autoRotate = false;
     if (rotationResumeRef.current) clearTimeout(rotationResumeRef.current);
     rotationResumeRef.current = setTimeout(() => {
+      // Only resume if no sidebar is open
+      if (selectedPlaceRef.current || showFavoritesRef.current) return;
       const c = globeRef.current?.controls() as any;
       if (c) c.autoRotate = true;
     }, 5000);
   }, []);
 
+  // ── Stop/resume rotation when panels open/close ──
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const controls = globeRef.current?.controls() as any;
+    if (!controls) return;
+    if (selectedPlace || showFavorites) {
+      controls.autoRotate = false;
+      if (rotationResumeRef.current) clearTimeout(rotationResumeRef.current);
+    } else {
+      controls.autoRotate = true;
+    }
+  }, [selectedPlace, showFavorites]);
+
   // ── Point click handler (stable ref) ──
   const handlePointClickRef = useRef<(point: any) => void>(undefined);
   handlePointClickRef.current = (point: any) => {