diff --git a/docs/systems/desktop.md b/docs/systems/desktop.md
index b0da0526..398b86fa 100644
--- a/docs/systems/desktop.md
+++ b/docs/systems/desktop.md
@@ -128,9 +128,10 @@ The unconditional startup re-apply was removed (it was overwriting user changes
 
 ```
 if linux AND $APPIMAGE is set:
-  read ~/.config/autostart/backspace.desktop → recordedExecPath
-  if saved.openAtLogin AND $APPIMAGE != recordedExecPath:
+  read ~/.config/autostart/backspace.desktop → recordedExecPath (null if file missing)
+  if saved.openAtLogin AND recordedExecPath != null AND $APPIMAGE != recordedExecPath:
     re-apply to refresh the autostart entry's Exec= path
+  (a missing .desktop file is treated as user-disabled — never recreated here)
 ```
 
 This keeps AppImage updates working (the AppImage moved to a new path → autostart entry needs the new path) without overriding any user-level OS state on Windows or macOS.