diff --git a/src/components/Map/usePostsEngine.js b/src/components/Map/usePostsEngine.js
index c1c742e..6fcd682 100644
--- a/src/components/Map/usePostsEngine.js
+++ b/src/components/Map/usePostsEngine.js
@@ -464,12 +464,34 @@ export function usePostsEngine({
     const map = mapRef.current;
     if (!map) return;
     initialFetchKickRef.current = true;
-    map.__swForceFetchAt = Date.now();
-    setTimeout(() => {
+
+    // Poll until map has valid center, then trigger fetch
+    let attempts = 0;
+    const maxAttempts = 20;
+    const pollInterval = setInterval(() => {
+      attempts++;
       try {
-        map.fire("moveend");
-      } catch {}
-    }, 120);
+        const center = map.getCenter();
+        if (center && center.lat != null && center.lng != null) {
+          clearInterval(pollInterval);
+          map.__swForceFetchAt = Date.now();
+          console.log('[usePostsEngine] Initial fetch kick - map center ready:', center.lat, center.lng);
+          map.fire("moveend");
+        } else if (attempts >= maxAttempts) {
+          clearInterval(pollInterval);
+          // Force it anyway after max attempts
+          map.__swForceFetchAt = Date.now();
+          console.log('[usePostsEngine] Initial fetch kick - forcing after max attempts');
+          map.fire("moveend");
+        }
+      } catch (e) {
+        if (attempts >= maxAttempts) {
+          clearInterval(pollInterval);
+        }
+      }
+    }, 100);
+
+    return () => clearInterval(pollInterval);
   }, [mapReady, mapRef]);
 
   // CRITICAL: Dedicated effect for contentFilter changes (media filter buttons)
@@ -1234,6 +1256,9 @@ export function usePostsEngine({
       }
 
       try {
+        // Clear initial load flag now that we're actually fetching
+        initialLoadRef.current = false;
+
         setLoadingPosts(true);
         setLoadError("");
 
@@ -1362,6 +1387,24 @@ export function usePostsEngine({
         }
 
         setLoadingPosts(false);
+
+        // Auto-retry if we got very few posts (network timing issue)
+        const MIN_EXPECTED_POSTS = 5;
+        const fetchedCount = Array.isArray(newPosts) ? newPosts.length : 0;
+        if (fetchedCount < MIN_EXPECTED_POSTS && initialLoadRef.current) {
+          const retryKey = `retry:${Math.round(lat * 100)}|${Math.round(lng * 100)}`;
+          const now = Date.now();
+          if (retryRef.current.key !== retryKey || now - retryRef.current.ts > 10000) {
+            retryRef.current = { key: retryKey, count: 0, ts: now };
+          }
+          if (retryRef.current.count < 2) {
+            retryRef.current.count += 1;
+            retryRef.current.ts = now;
+            console.log(`[usePostsEngine] Low post count (${fetchedCount}), auto-retry #${retryRef.current.count}`);
+            if (delayedFetchRef.current) clearTimeout(delayedFetchRef.current);
+            delayedFetchRef.current = setTimeout(load, 800);
+          }
+        }
       } catch (err) {
         setLoadingPosts(false);
         setLoadError("fetch failed");
@@ -1391,8 +1434,8 @@ export function usePostsEngine({
     const forceFetchNow = mapObj?.__swForceFetchAt && Date.now() - mapObj.__swForceFetchAt < 5000;
 
     if (initialLoadRef.current || forceFetchNow) {
-      initialLoadRef.current = false;
-      // Note: flag is cleared inside load() at line ~1095, not here
+      // Don't clear initialLoadRef here - let load() clear it after successful fetch
+      // This way if load() returns early (no view center), we'll retry on next effect run
       load(); // Immediate fetch for initial load or filter change
     } else {
       moveDebounceRef.current = setTimeout(load, 300);