diff --git a/client/public/version.js b/client/public/version.js
index 3459ef5..b349ffc 100644
--- a/client/public/version.js
+++ b/client/public/version.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 // Maintainer-controlled web client version.
 // Format: YYYY.MM.DD Rn (example: 2026.02.20 R2)
-window.CHGRID_WEB_VERSION = "2026.02.25 R262";
+window.CHGRID_WEB_VERSION = "2026.02.25 R263";
 // Optional display timezone for timestamps. Falls back to America/Detroit if unset/invalid.
 window.CHGRID_TIME_ZONE = "America/Detroit";
diff --git a/client/src/network/messageHandlers.ts b/client/src/network/messageHandlers.ts
index ba37f0d..ed3b2c6 100644
--- a/client/src/network/messageHandlers.ts
+++ b/client/src/network/messageHandlers.ts
@@ -160,9 +160,8 @@ export function createOnMessageHandler(deps: MessageHandlerDeps): (message: Inco
         deps.peerManager.setPeerPosition(message.id, message.x, message.y);
         if (peer) {
           const movementDelta = Math.hypot(message.x - prevX, message.y - prevY);
-          const soundUrl = movementDelta > 1.5 ? deps.TELEPORT_START_SOUND_URL : deps.randomFootstepUrl();
-          if (deps.getAudioLayers().world) {
-            deps.playRemoteSpatialStepOrTeleport(soundUrl, peer.x, peer.y);
+          if (movementDelta <= 1.5 && deps.getAudioLayers().world) {
+            deps.playRemoteSpatialStepOrTeleport(deps.randomFootstepUrl(), peer.x, peer.y);
           }
         }
         break;
diff --git a/client/src/webrtc/peerManager.ts b/client/src/webrtc/peerManager.ts
index 42b70b2..8822612 100644
--- a/client/src/webrtc/peerManager.ts
+++ b/client/src/webrtc/peerManager.ts
@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ export class PeerManager {
     const stream = this.getLocalStream();
     if (stream) {
       stream.getTracks().forEach((track) => pc.addTrack(track, stream));
+    } else {
+      // Ensure initial offers still negotiate audio receive even before mic setup finishes.
+      pc.addTransceiver('audio', { direction: 'sendrecv' });
     }
 
     pc.onicecandidate = (event) => {