diff --git a/src/main/io/displayport_msp.c b/src/main/io/displayport_msp.c
index 533ea4fb01..72c7272588 100644
--- a/src/main/io/displayport_msp.c
+++ b/src/main/io/displayport_msp.c
@@ -54,7 +54,9 @@ static int heartbeat(displayPort_t *displayPort)
 {
     uint8_t subcmd[] = { 0 };
 
-    // ensure display is not released by MW OSD software
+    // heartbeat is used to:
+    // a) ensure display is not released by MW OSD software
+    // b) prevent OSD Slave boards from displaying a 'disconnected' status.
     return output(displayPort, MSP_DISPLAYPORT, subcmd, sizeof(subcmd));
 }
 
diff --git a/src/main/io/osd.c b/src/main/io/osd.c
index 3bf11238d4..c0c2b1b361 100644
--- a/src/main/io/osd.c
+++ b/src/main/io/osd.c
@@ -846,6 +846,7 @@ static void osdRefresh(timeUs_t currentTimeUs)
                 resumeRefreshAt = 0;
             }
 
+            displayHeartbeat(osdDisplayPort);
             return;
         } else {
             displayClearScreen(osdDisplayPort);
@@ -859,7 +860,7 @@ static void osdRefresh(timeUs_t currentTimeUs)
     if (!displayIsGrabbed(osdDisplayPort)) {
         osdUpdateAlarms();
         osdDrawElements();
-        displayHeartbeat(osdDisplayPort); // heartbeat to stop Minim OSD going back into native mode
+        displayHeartbeat(osdDisplayPort);
 #ifdef OSD_CALLS_CMS
     } else {
         cmsUpdate(currentTimeUs);