diff --git a/fpga_io.cpp b/fpga_io.cpp
index 45c91f51b..994f9e8d2 100644
--- a/fpga_io.cpp
+++ b/fpga_io.cpp
@@ -427,6 +427,10 @@ static int make_env(const char *name, const char *cfg)
 
 int fpga_load_rbf(const char *name, const char *cfg, const char *xml)
 {
+	// Tear down the launcher frontend (and its HPS framebuffer mmaps) before any
+	// FPGA reconfiguration. A live frontend scanning out /dev/fb0 over the f2sdram
+	// bridge deadlocks the AXI bus when do_bridge(0) resets it during load.
+	alt_launcher_shutdown();
 	OsdDisable();
 	static char path[1024];
 	int ret = 0;
diff --git a/support/zaparoo/alt_launcher.cpp b/support/zaparoo/alt_launcher.cpp
index a9529b24e..3d03ced4b 100644
--- a/support/zaparoo/alt_launcher.cpp
+++ b/support/zaparoo/alt_launcher.cpp
@@ -17,9 +17,11 @@
 #include <sys/wait.h>
 #include "cfg.h"
 #include "file_io.h"
+#include "fpga_io.h"
 #include "hardware.h"
 #include "input.h"
 #include "menu.h"
+#include "scheduler.h"
 #include "shmem.h"
 #include "user_io.h"
 #include "video.h"
@@ -472,10 +474,37 @@ static void exec_launcher_child(const char *path)
 	_exit(1);
 }
 
+// Bounded replacement for video_chvt(): its VT_WAITACTIVE blocks forever if the
+// frontend stalls bringing up video, which would wedge the poll cothread.
+static void switch_to_launcher_vt(void)
+{
+	int fd = open("/dev/tty0", O_RDONLY | O_CLOEXEC);
+	if (fd < 0) return;
+
+	if (ioctl(fd, VT_ACTIVATE, s_vt)) printf("alt_launcher: VT_ACTIVATE fails\n");
+
+	// Yield to the scheduler rather than usleep() so the poll cothread stays
+	// cooperative while we wait (bounded) for the VT to become active.
+	unsigned long deadline = GetTimer(500);
+	for (;;)
+	{
+		struct vt_stat st;
+		if (!ioctl(fd, VT_GETSTATE, &st) && st.v_active == s_vt) break;
+		if (CheckTimer(deadline)) break;
+		scheduler_yield();
+	}
+
+	close(fd);
+}
+
 static void finalize_spawn(void)
 {
+	// Defer the VT/fb takeover until the FPGA/HDMI has settled; s_tty_deadline
+	// stays armed so this retries on a later alt_launcher_poll pass.
+	if (!is_fpga_ready(1)) return;
+
 	s_tty_deadline = 0;
-	video_chvt(s_vt);
+	switch_to_launcher_vt();
 	if (!s_native_crt)
 		video_fb_enable(1);
 	else