diff --git a/src/player.js b/src/player.js
index 05bcd60..0ecd8ca 100644
--- a/src/player.js
+++ b/src/player.js
@@ -381,6 +381,9 @@ export function updatePlayerUI(s, _skipMediaSession = false) {
     }));
   } catch {}
   _syncNpDirect(s);
+  // Preload the hi-res NP cover now so opening the overlay is instant
+  const _npCv = coverUrl(s.coverArt, 1024);
+  if (_npCv && _npCv !== _npBgLastUrl) { const _pre = new Image(); _pre.src = _npCv; }
 }
 
 let _npBgCurr = 'a';