diff --git a/tests/test_widgets_ui_browser_lifecycle.py b/tests/test_widgets_ui_browser_lifecycle.py
index 41abaeee6..731679859 100644
--- a/tests/test_widgets_ui_browser_lifecycle.py
+++ b/tests/test_widgets_ui_browser_lifecycle.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import json
 import os
 import pathlib
 import textwrap
+import time
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -848,11 +849,21 @@ def test_ui_smoke_widget_retain_keeps_running_across_pages(direct_server_with_da
 
                 # Leave, then disable the skill while Widgets is hidden: the kept frame
                 # is force-stopped without a visit; the return finds the cards gone.
+                # The read is HELD across dashboard -> skills: unrelated navigation must not cancel it.
                 _click_nav(page, "dashboard")
                 wait_active(page, False)
                 page.wait_for_timeout(300)
                 assert frame_count(page, "kept") == 1
+                held = []
+                page.route("**/api/widgets", lambda route: held.append(route))
                 assert toggle(page, False) == 200
+                deadline = time.monotonic() + 10
+                while not held and time.monotonic() < deadline: page.wait_for_timeout(50)
+                assert held, "the disable did not start the hidden retention read"
+                _click_nav(page, "skills")
+                page.wait_for_timeout(300)
+                assert frame_count(page, "kept") == 1, "the read is still held; nothing may stop yet"
+                [route.continue_() for route in held]; page.unroute("**/api/widgets")
                 wait_frame(page, "kept", False, timeout=15_000)
                 wait_active(page, False)
                 _click_nav(page, "widgets")
diff --git a/web/modules/widgets.js b/web/modules/widgets.js
index 780d59588..a4cfa8b77 100644
--- a/web/modules/widgets.js
+++ b/web/modules/widgets.js
@@ -1576,7 +1576,9 @@ export function initWidgets(ctx = {}) {
             render();
         } else {
             cardMenus.close();
-            listRequests.abortAll();
+            // Leaving Widgets cancels ITS sync; once hidden, an unrelated page change
+            // must not cancel a skill-disable retention check (its kept frame would run on).
+            if (widgetsVisible) listRequests.abortAll();
             // Leaving disposes the mounted work — except the frames the owner
             // keeps running, which stay mounted in the hidden page — and stops
             // stale paints; the cards stay in the DOM so the next entry mounts