diff --git a/client/scripts/quest_hud_controller.gd b/client/scripts/quest_hud_controller.gd
index 88b2d1b..c243172 100644
--- a/client/scripts/quest_hud_controller.gd
+++ b/client/scripts/quest_hud_controller.gd
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ func _on_accept_failed(_quest_id: String, reason: String) -> void:
 
 func _on_definitions_ready(_quests: Array) -> void:
 	_defs_error = ""
-	if _progress_error.is_empty() and not _last_snapshot.is_empty():
+	if not _last_snapshot.is_empty():
 		_render_progress_label()
 
 
diff --git a/client/test/quest_hud_controller_test.gd b/client/test/quest_hud_controller_test.gd
index f443f3b..497e616 100644
--- a/client/test/quest_hud_controller_test.gd
+++ b/client/test/quest_hud_controller_test.gd
@@ -381,3 +381,36 @@ func test_shift_q_shows_definitions_error_when_defs_failed() -> void:
 	controller.call("_request_eligible_accept")
 	# Assert
 	assert_str(accept_label.text).contains("definitions error")
+
+
+func _gather_defs_json() -> String:
+	return (
+		'{"schemaVersion":1,"quests":['
+		+ '{"id":"prototype_quest_gather_intro","displayName":"Intro: Salvage Run",'
+		+ '"prerequisiteQuestIds":[],"steps":[]}]}'
+	)
+
+
+func test_definitions_ready_repaints_with_display_names_when_progress_error() -> void:
+	# Arrange
+	var defs_transport := MockHttpTransport.new()
+	defs_transport.body_json = _gather_defs_json()
+	var defs_client: Node = _make_defs_client(defs_transport)
+	var progress_client: Node = _make_progress_client(NoopHttpTransport.new())
+	var controller: Node = QuestHudController.new()
+	var progress_label := Label.new()
+	auto_free(controller)
+	auto_free(progress_label)
+	add_child(controller)
+	await get_tree().process_frame
+	defs_client.call("request_sync_from_server")
+	controller.set("_progress_client", progress_client)
+	controller.set("_defs_client", defs_client)
+	controller.set("_progress_label", progress_label)
+	controller.set("_last_snapshot", _not_started_snapshot())
+	controller.set("_progress_error", "HTTP 503")
+	# Act
+	controller.call("_on_definitions_ready", [])
+	# Assert
+	assert_str(progress_label.text).contains("Intro: Salvage Run")
+	assert_str(progress_label.text).not_contains("prototype_quest_gather_intro")
diff --git a/docs/reviews/2026-06-07-NEO-122-follow-up.md b/docs/reviews/2026-06-07-NEO-122-follow-up.md
index 04336e2..0c11e04 100644
--- a/docs/reviews/2026-06-07-NEO-122-follow-up.md
+++ b/docs/reviews/2026-06-07-NEO-122-follow-up.md
@@ -61,6 +61,8 @@ Seven commits landed after the first review: code-review follow-up (quest-defini
 
 7. ~~**Shift+Q hides definitions failure** — Block eligible accept when `_defs_error` is set and catalog is empty. **Done.**
 
+8. ~~**Definitions ready skips HUD repaint** — `_on_definitions_ready` repaints when snapshot exists even if `_progress_error` is set so display names replace raw ids. **Done.**
+
 ## Verification
 
 ```bash
@@ -70,7 +72,7 @@ godot --headless --path . -s addons/gdUnit4/bin/GdUnitCmdTool.gd \
   -a res://test
 ```
 
-Full suite: **254** cases, **0** orphans (GdUnit exit **0**).
+Full suite: **255** cases, **0** orphans (GdUnit exit **0**).
 
 ```bash
 # Focused NEO-122 / layout subset