diff --git a/Assets/_Project/Scripts/Client/Presentation/AbilityBarSystem.cs b/Assets/_Project/Scripts/Client/Presentation/AbilityBarSystem.cs
index 0302f8541..e5626644f 100644
--- a/Assets/_Project/Scripts/Client/Presentation/AbilityBarSystem.cs
+++ b/Assets/_Project/Scripts/Client/Presentation/AbilityBarSystem.cs
@@ -81,12 +81,14 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
 
             bool haveDb = SystemAPI.TryGetSingleton<AbilityDatabase>(out var db) && db.Value.IsCreated;
 
+            bool foundLocal = false; // no local player (menu / ArtStaging / pre-spawn) -> hide the bar entirely
             foreach (var (cd, dashCd, entity) in
                      SystemAPI.Query<RefRO<SocketCooldown>, RefRO<DashCooldown>>()
                          .WithAll<GhostOwnerIsLocal, PlayerTag>().WithEntityAccess())
             {
                 if (!EntityManager.HasBuffer<AbilitySocket>(entity) || !EntityManager.HasBuffer<EffectiveSocketStats>(entity))
                     continue;
+                foundLocal = true;
                 var sockets = EntityManager.GetBuffer<AbilitySocket>(entity, true);
                 var effs = EntityManager.GetBuffer<EffectiveSocketStats>(entity, true);
 
@@ -108,6 +110,7 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
                 UpdateSlotCooldown(DashSlot, RemainingTicks(dashCd.ValueRO.NextTick, now), dashTotal);
                 break; // one local player
             }
+            _doc.rootVisualElement.style.display = foundLocal ? DisplayStyle.Flex : DisplayStyle.None;
         }
 
         static int RemainingTicks(uint nextFireRaw, NetworkTick now)
@@ -185,6 +188,7 @@ namespace ProjectM.Client
             root.style.position = Position.Absolute;
             root.style.left = 0; root.style.right = 0; root.style.top = 0; root.style.bottom = 0;
             root.pickingMode = PickingMode.Ignore;
+            root.style.display = DisplayStyle.None; // hidden until a local player is found (no flash in menu/ArtStaging/pre-connect)
 
             var bar = HudUi.Group(Align.Center);
             bar.style.position = Position.Absolute;