diff --git a/apps/web/components/highlights-card.tsx b/apps/web/components/highlights-card.tsx
index 38257d2e..ff3b4e36 100644
--- a/apps/web/components/highlights-card.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/components/highlights-card.tsx
@@ -92,8 +92,12 @@ export function HighlightsCard({
 		if (isReplyOpen) replyInputRef.current?.focus()
 	}, [isReplyOpen])
 
-	// biome-ignore lint/correctness/useExhaustiveDependencies: intentionally re-run when items changes
 	useEffect(() => {
+		// The Daily Brief refreshes on its own every few hours, so items can be
+		// replaced with a shorter list while the user is on a later page. Pull the
+		// active index back into range, otherwise currentItem is undefined and the
+		// card falls through to the empty state even though highlights exist.
+		setActiveIndex((i) => Math.min(i, Math.max(items.length - 1, 0)))
 		setIsReplyOpen(false)
 		setReplyText("")
 		setIsExpanded(false)