diff --git a/settings/quickshell.nix b/settings/quickshell.nix
index 64c22e5..a5ff2fe 100644
--- a/settings/quickshell.nix
+++ b/settings/quickshell.nix
@@ -262,6 +262,10 @@ in
                         id: wall
                         anchors.fill: parent
                         source: "file://" + Quickshell.env("HOME") + "/.local/share/backgrounds/wallpaper.png"
+                        // cache:false — soft reload (qs ipc reload) keeps the process
+                        // alive, and the QML pixmap cache is keyed by URL, so a new
+                        // wallpaper behind the same path never shows without this.
+                        cache: false
                         fillMode: Image.PreserveAspectCrop
                         visible: false
                     }
@@ -539,6 +543,7 @@ in
                         Image {
                             anchors.fill: parent
                             source: "file://" + Quickshell.env("HOME") + "/.local/share/backgrounds/wallpaper.png"
+                            cache: false // same-URL pixmap cache survives soft reload
                             fillMode: Image.PreserveAspectCrop
                         }
                     }