diff --git a/wled00/udp.cpp b/wled00/udp.cpp
index 139643b47..be13d2f50 100644
--- a/wled00/udp.cpp
+++ b/wled00/udp.cpp
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 #define WLEDPACKETSIZE 29
 #define UDP_IN_MAXSIZE 1472
 
+static bool wasOff = false; // flag if strip was Off (bri==0) when realtime started
+
 void notify(byte callMode, bool followUp)
 {
   if (!udpConnected) return;
@@ -83,8 +85,11 @@ void realtimeLock(uint32_t timeoutMs, byte md)
 
   realtimeTimeout = millis() + timeoutMs;
   if (timeoutMs == 255001 || timeoutMs == 65000) realtimeTimeout = UINT32_MAX;
-  if (bri == 0 && realtimeMode == REALTIME_MODE_INACTIVE && md != realtimeMode) {
-    toggleOnOff();  // if strip is off (bri==0) and change from inactive RTM
+  // if strip is off (bri==0) and not already in RTM
+  if (bri == 0 && !realtimeMode) {
+    wasOff = true;
+    bri = briLast;  // global brightness awareness
+    strip.setBrightness(scaledBri(briLast));
   }
   realtimeMode = md;
 
@@ -120,6 +125,10 @@ void handleNotifications()
   if (realtimeMode && millis() > realtimeTimeout)
   {
     if (realtimeOverride == REALTIME_OVERRIDE_ONCE) realtimeOverride = REALTIME_OVERRIDE_NONE;
+    if (wasOff) {
+      bri = 0;  // if inital state was off turn strip back off
+      wasOff = false;
+    }
     strip.setBrightness(scaledBri(bri));
     realtimeMode = REALTIME_MODE_INACTIVE;
     realtimeIP[0] = 0;
diff --git a/wled00/wled.h b/wled00/wled.h
index 4287f117f..9b644853f 100644
--- a/wled00/wled.h
+++ b/wled00/wled.h
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
  */
 
 // version code in format yymmddb (b = daily build)
-#define VERSION 2103180
+#define VERSION 2103190
 
 //uncomment this if you have a "my_config.h" file you'd like to use
 //#define WLED_USE_MY_CONFIG
diff --git a/wled00/wled_serial.cpp b/wled00/wled_serial.cpp
index de4c3697b..be6f72e47 100644
--- a/wled00/wled_serial.cpp
+++ b/wled00/wled_serial.cpp
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ void handleSerial()
         if (!realtimeOverride) setRealtimePixel(pixel++, red, green, blue, 0);
         if (--count > 0) state = AdaState::Data_Red;
         else {
-          if (!realtimeMode && bri == 0) strip.setBrightness(briLast);
+          // if (!realtimeMode && bri == 0) strip.setBrightness(briLast); //realtimeLock() handles turning strip on/off
           realtimeLock(realtimeTimeoutMs, REALTIME_MODE_ADALIGHT);
 
           if (!realtimeOverride) strip.show();