diff --git a/backend/app/services/downloader.py b/backend/app/services/downloader.py
index 9cf7f6b..a34ee29 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/downloader.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/downloader.py
@@ -71,6 +71,10 @@ def _make_hook(task_id: str):
             done_pct = int(sum(PHASE_WEIGHTS[:state["phase"]]) * 100)
             _download_progress[task_id] = min(done_pct, 99)
 
+        # Ensure at least 1% progress so UI shows activity
+        if _download_progress.get(task_id, 0) == 0:
+            _download_progress[task_id] = 1
+
     return hook
 
 VIDEO_BASE_PATH = os.getenv("VIDEO_BASE_PATH", "/home/xdl/xdl_videos")