diff --git a/neode-ui/src/components/PWAUpdatePrompt.vue b/neode-ui/src/components/PWAUpdatePrompt.vue
index 2a4f3051..91d0c9b9 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/components/PWAUpdatePrompt.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/components/PWAUpdatePrompt.vue
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 import { ref, onMounted } from 'vue'
 import BaseModal from '@/components/BaseModal.vue'
 import { useLoginTransitionStore } from '@/stores/loginTransition'
+import { IS_DEMO } from '@/composables/useDemoIntro'
 
 const showUpdatePrompt = ref(false)
 let updateCallback: (() => Promise<void>) | null = null
@@ -53,6 +54,12 @@ function reloadAfterCinematic() {
 }
 
 onMounted(() => {
+  // The public demo has no version to update to — the prompt is noise, and
+  // both accept-paths end in a reload that replays the demo intro ("the site
+  // just reset itself"). skipWaiting/clientsClaim are off, so ignoring the
+  // waiting worker is safe: this page keeps its complete old cache, and the
+  // new build activates on the next visit.
+  if (IS_DEMO) return
   // Listen for service worker updates
   if ('serviceWorker' in navigator) {
     // On the very first visit the page loads with no controlling SW; the