diff --git a/static/js/modes/listening-post.js b/static/js/modes/listening-post.js
index 1f01438..80c4d47 100644
--- a/static/js/modes/listening-post.js
+++ b/static/js/modes/listening-post.js
@@ -2122,6 +2122,10 @@ async function _startDirectListenInternal() {
         const streamUrl = `/listening/audio/stream?t=${Date.now()}`;
         console.log('[LISTEN] Connecting to stream:', streamUrl);
         audioPlayer.src = streamUrl;
+        audioPlayer.preload = 'auto';
+        audioPlayer.autoplay = true;
+        audioPlayer.muted = false;
+        audioPlayer.load();
 
         // Apply current volume from knob
         const volumeKnob = document.getElementById('radioVolumeKnob');