diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp
index 6f363d7f96..ee12ca740d 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp
@@ -809,6 +809,15 @@ void UITask::loop() {
       _display->endFrame();
     }
 #if AUTO_OFF_MILLIS > 0
+#ifdef KEEP_DISPLAY_ON_USB
+    // Opt-in: refresh the auto-off deadline while externally powered, so the
+    // timer counts from the moment external power is removed. Off by default
+    // because OLED panels burn in quickly; only enable for LCD targets or
+    // where the display is replaceable.
+    if (board.isExternalPowered()) {
+      _auto_off = millis() + AUTO_OFF_MILLIS;
+    }
+#endif
     if (millis() > _auto_off) {
       _display->turnOff();
     }
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/ui-orig/UITask.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/ui-orig/UITask.cpp
index 12a374d91d..5529046775 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/ui-orig/UITask.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/ui-orig/UITask.cpp
@@ -342,6 +342,15 @@ void UITask::loop() {
 
       _next_refresh = millis() + 1000;   // refresh every second
     }
+#ifdef KEEP_DISPLAY_ON_USB
+    // Opt-in: refresh the auto-off deadline while externally powered, so the
+    // timer counts from the moment external power is removed. Off by default
+    // because OLED panels burn in quickly; only enable for LCD targets or
+    // where the display is replaceable.
+    if (board.isExternalPowered()) {
+      _auto_off = millis() + AUTO_OFF_MILLIS;
+    }
+#endif
     if (millis() > _auto_off) {
       _display->turnOff();
     }
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/ui-tiny/UITask.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/ui-tiny/UITask.cpp
index 417024426d..45a07a02ef 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/ui-tiny/UITask.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/ui-tiny/UITask.cpp
@@ -704,6 +704,15 @@ void UITask::loop() {
       _display->endFrame();
     }
 #if AUTO_OFF_MILLIS > 0
+#ifdef KEEP_DISPLAY_ON_USB
+    // Opt-in: refresh the auto-off deadline while externally powered, so the
+    // timer counts from the moment external power is removed. Off by default
+    // because OLED panels burn in quickly; only enable for LCD targets or
+    // where the display is replaceable.
+    if (board.isExternalPowered()) {
+      _auto_off = millis() + AUTO_OFF_MILLIS;
+    }
+#endif
     if (millis() > _auto_off) {
       _display->turnOff();
     }