diff --git a/linux/CHANGELOG.md b/linux/CHANGELOG.md
index 5cb6065..9a259cd 100644
--- a/linux/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/linux/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,6 +9,16 @@ The version is defined in [`blitztext/__init__.py`](blitztext/__init__.py).
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [2.03.24] - 2026-06-10
+
+### Fixed
+- **Input level meter works without visiting General first.** The level meter
+  was only started inside `_build_general()` and referenced `mic_level`
+  unconditionally. If Input was opened first the meter never started. Now
+  `_build_input()` also starts the meter when it isn't running yet, and both
+  level bars (`mic_level` in General and `ww_mic_level` in Input) are updated
+  defensively via `hasattr` so either tab can be visited in any order.
+
 ## [2.03.23] - 2026-06-10
 
 ### Fixed
diff --git a/linux/blitztext/__init__.py b/linux/blitztext/__init__.py
index fef13c2..199a185 100644
--- a/linux/blitztext/__init__.py
+++ b/linux/blitztext/__init__.py
@@ -6,4 +6,4 @@ counterpart to the macOS Blitztext menu bar app: it runs natively on the host
 (not in a container) so it can type into any application via xdotool.
 """
 
-__version__ = "2.03.23"
+__version__ = "2.03.24"
diff --git a/linux/blitztext/gtksettings.py b/linux/blitztext/gtksettings.py
index 918c51d..7ed44a5 100644
--- a/linux/blitztext/gtksettings.py
+++ b/linux/blitztext/gtksettings.py
@@ -1806,6 +1806,11 @@ notebook.bt-nb tab:checked label {
         self.snd_after  = self._sound_field(snd_card, "Stop sound", self.cfg.sound_after,
             "Plays when manual recording stops (paste, paste+Enter, or auto-stop).", width=LW)
 
+        # Start meter if not already running (covers the case where Input is
+        # visited before General, which is where _start_meter() normally fires).
+        if self._meter is None:
+            self._start_meter()
+
     def _sound_field(self, page, label: str, value: str, tooltip: str = "",
                      empty_note: str = "Leave empty to use the built-in system sound.",
                      clear_tip: str = "Clear — use the built-in system sound",
@@ -1948,13 +1953,16 @@ notebook.bt-nb tab:checked label {
         self._start_meter()
 
     def _selected_mic_name(self) -> str:
+        if not hasattr(self, "gen_mic"):
+            return ""  # General tab not yet built; use default device
         i = self.gen_mic.get_active()
         return self._mics[i][0] if 0 <= i < len(self._mics) else ""
 
     def _start_meter(self) -> None:
         self._stop_meter()
         def on_level(v):
-            GLib.idle_add(self.mic_level.set_value, v)
+            if hasattr(self, "mic_level"):
+                GLib.idle_add(self.mic_level.set_value, v)
             if hasattr(self, "ww_mic_level"):
                 GLib.idle_add(self.ww_mic_level.set_value, v)
         self._meter = audio.LevelMeter(self._selected_mic_name(), on_level=on_level)