diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 1f8d318..1090c37 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -1652,7 +1652,7 @@ checksum = "09edd9e8b54e49e587e4f6295a7d29c3ea94d469cb40ab8ca70b288248a81db2"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lesavka_client"
-version = "0.22.4"
+version = "0.22.5"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "async-stream",
@@ -1686,7 +1686,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lesavka_common"
-version = "0.22.4"
+version = "0.22.5"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "base64",
@@ -1698,7 +1698,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lesavka_server"
-version = "0.22.4"
+version = "0.22.5"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "base64",
diff --git a/client/Cargo.toml b/client/Cargo.toml
index ab7e23d..264e63f 100644
--- a/client/Cargo.toml
+++ b/client/Cargo.toml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ path                    = "src/main.rs"
 
 [package]
 name                    = "lesavka_client"
-version                 = "0.22.4"
+version                 = "0.22.5"
 edition                 = "2024"
 
 [dependencies]
diff --git a/common/Cargo.toml b/common/Cargo.toml
index bfcd507..e8bd4db 100644
--- a/common/Cargo.toml
+++ b/common/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name                    = "lesavka_common"
-version                 = "0.22.4"
+version                 = "0.22.5"
 edition                 = "2024"
 build                   = "build.rs"
 
diff --git a/scripts/install/server.sh b/scripts/install/server.sh
index bf9f5dd..e1ba103 100755
--- a/scripts/install/server.sh
+++ b/scripts/install/server.sh
@@ -7,11 +7,43 @@ SCRIPT_REPO_ROOT=$(cd -- "$SCRIPT_DIR/../.." && pwd)
 DEFAULT_REPO_URL=ssh://git@scm.bstein.dev:2242/bstein/lesavka.git
 export TMPDIR=${TMPDIR:-/var/tmp}
 
+persisted_env_value() {
+  local file=$1
+  local key=$2
+  [[ -r $file ]] || return 1
+  awk -F= -v key="$key" '
+    $0 ~ /^[[:space:]]*#/ { next }
+    $1 == key {
+      sub(/^[^=]*=/, "")
+      print
+      found=1
+      exit
+    }
+    END { if (!found) exit 1 }
+  ' "$file"
+}
+
+persisted_uvc_value() {
+  persisted_env_value /etc/lesavka/uvc.env "$1"
+}
+
+uvc_env_value() {
+  local key=$1
+  local default=$2
+  if [[ -n ${!key+x} ]]; then
+    printf '%s\n' "${!key}"
+    return 0
+  fi
+  persisted_uvc_value "$key" && return 0
+  printf '%s\n' "$default"
+}
+
 REF=${LESAVKA_REF:-master}        # fallback
 REPO_URL=${LESAVKA_REPO_URL:-}
 INSTALL_SOURCE=${LESAVKA_INSTALL_SOURCE:-auto}
 USER_HOME=$(getent passwd "$ORIG_USER" | cut -d: -f6)
-INSTALL_UVC_CODEC=${LESAVKA_INSTALL_UVC_CODEC:-mjpeg}
+PERSISTED_UVC_CODEC=$(persisted_uvc_value LESAVKA_UVC_CODEC || true)
+INSTALL_UVC_CODEC=${LESAVKA_INSTALL_UVC_CODEC:-${PERSISTED_UVC_CODEC:-mjpeg}}
 INSTALL_CAM_CODEC=${LESAVKA_INSTALL_CAM_CODEC:-${LESAVKA_CAM_CODEC:-hevc}}
 INSTALL_UPLINK_AUDIO_CODEC=${LESAVKA_INSTALL_UPLINK_AUDIO_CODEC:-${LESAVKA_UPLINK_AUDIO_CODEC:-pcm}}
 INSTALL_UVC_FRAME_META=${LESAVKA_INSTALL_UVC_FRAME_META:-${LESAVKA_UVC_FRAME_META:-0}}
@@ -238,19 +270,19 @@ render_uvc_env_file() {
   cat <<EOF
 # generated by lesavka/scripts/install/server.sh
 # Edit only for local UVC hardware overrides; rerunning the installer refreshes defaults.
-LESAVKA_UVC_DEBUG=${LESAVKA_UVC_DEBUG:-1}
-LESAVKA_UVC_MAXPACKET=${LESAVKA_UVC_MAXPACKET:-1024}
-LESAVKA_UVC_LIMIT_PCT=${LESAVKA_UVC_LIMIT_PCT:-100}
-LESAVKA_UVC_FPS=${LESAVKA_UVC_FPS:-30}
-LESAVKA_UVC_INTERVAL=${LESAVKA_UVC_INTERVAL:-333333}
-LESAVKA_UVC_WIDTH=${LESAVKA_UVC_WIDTH:-1280}
-LESAVKA_UVC_HEIGHT=${LESAVKA_UVC_HEIGHT:-720}
+LESAVKA_UVC_DEBUG=$(uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_DEBUG 1)
+LESAVKA_UVC_MAXPACKET=$(uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_MAXPACKET 1024)
+LESAVKA_UVC_LIMIT_PCT=$(uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_LIMIT_PCT 100)
+LESAVKA_UVC_FPS=$(uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_FPS 30)
+LESAVKA_UVC_INTERVAL=$(uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_INTERVAL 333333)
+LESAVKA_UVC_WIDTH=$(uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_WIDTH 1280)
+LESAVKA_UVC_HEIGHT=$(uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_HEIGHT 720)
 LESAVKA_UVC_CODEC=${INSTALL_UVC_CODEC}
-LESAVKA_UVC_BLOCKING=${LESAVKA_UVC_BLOCKING:-1}
-LESAVKA_UVC_CONTROL_READ_ONLY=${LESAVKA_UVC_CONTROL_READ_ONLY:-0}
-LESAVKA_UVC_MAXBURST=${LESAVKA_UVC_MAXBURST:-0}
-LESAVKA_UVC_FRAME_MAX_BYTES=${LESAVKA_UVC_FRAME_MAX_BYTES:-0}
-LESAVKA_UVC_MJPEG_BUDGET_BYTES_PER_SEC=${LESAVKA_UVC_MJPEG_BUDGET_BYTES_PER_SEC:-10000000}
+LESAVKA_UVC_BLOCKING=$(uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_BLOCKING 1)
+LESAVKA_UVC_CONTROL_READ_ONLY=$(uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_CONTROL_READ_ONLY 0)
+LESAVKA_UVC_MAXBURST=$(uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_MAXBURST 0)
+LESAVKA_UVC_FRAME_MAX_BYTES=$(uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_FRAME_MAX_BYTES 0)
+LESAVKA_UVC_MJPEG_BUDGET_BYTES_PER_SEC=$(uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_MJPEG_BUDGET_BYTES_PER_SEC 10000000)
 EOF
 }
 
@@ -439,6 +471,10 @@ uvc_gadget_present() {
   [[ -d /sys/kernel/config/usb_gadget/lesavka/functions/uvc.usb0 ]]
 }
 
+live_gadget_bound() {
+  [[ -s /sys/kernel/config/usb_gadget/lesavka/UDC ]]
+}
+
 live_uvc_descriptor_codec() {
   local function_root=/sys/kernel/config/usb_gadget/lesavka/functions/uvc.usb0
   if [[ -e "$function_root/streaming/header/h/mjpeg" ]]; then
@@ -1365,26 +1401,34 @@ if sudo test -f /etc/lesavka/uvc.env && sudo cmp -s "$UVC_ENV_TMP" /etc/lesavka/
   UVC_ENV_CHANGED=0
 fi
 UDC_STATE=$(udc_state)
+LIVE_GADGET_BOUND=0
+if live_gadget_bound; then
+  LIVE_GADGET_BOUND=1
+fi
+HOST_GADGET_PROTECTED=0
+if is_attached_state "$UDC_STATE" || [[ "$LIVE_GADGET_BOUND" == "1" ]]; then
+  HOST_GADGET_PROTECTED=1
+fi
 EXPLICIT_GADGET_REBUILD=0
 if [[ -n ${LESAVKA_FORCE_GADGET_REBUILD:-} ]]; then
   EXPLICIT_GADGET_REBUILD=1
 fi
 LIVE_UVC_DESCRIPTOR_MISMATCH=0
-if is_attached_state "$UDC_STATE" && uvc_gadget_present && ! live_uvc_descriptor_matches_request; then
+if [[ "$HOST_GADGET_PROTECTED" == "1" ]] && uvc_gadget_present && ! live_uvc_descriptor_matches_request; then
   LIVE_UVC_DESCRIPTOR_MISMATCH=1
 fi
 LIVE_UVC_FUNCTION_MISSING=0
-if [[ -z ${LESAVKA_DISABLE_UVC:-} ]] && is_attached_state "$UDC_STATE" && ! uvc_gadget_present; then
+if [[ -z ${LESAVKA_DISABLE_UVC:-} ]] && [[ "$HOST_GADGET_PROTECTED" == "1" ]] && ! uvc_gadget_present; then
   LIVE_UVC_FUNCTION_MISSING=1
 fi
 ATTACHED_UVC_CHANGE_DEFERRED=0
-if is_attached_state "$UDC_STATE" \
+if [[ "$HOST_GADGET_PROTECTED" == "1" ]] \
   && { [[ "$LIVE_UVC_DESCRIPTOR_MISMATCH" == "1" ]] || [[ "$LIVE_UVC_FUNCTION_MISSING" == "1" ]]; } \
   && { [[ "$EXPLICIT_GADGET_REBUILD" != "1" ]] || [[ -z ${LESAVKA_ALLOW_GADGET_RESET:-} ]]; }; then
   ATTACHED_UVC_CHANGE_DEFERRED=1
 fi
 ATTACHED_UVC_RESTART_DEFERRED=0
-if is_attached_state "$UDC_STATE" \
+if [[ "$HOST_GADGET_PROTECTED" == "1" ]] \
   && [[ "$UVC_ENV_CHANGED" == "1" ]] \
   && [[ "$LIVE_UVC_DESCRIPTOR_MISMATCH" != "1" ]] \
   && [[ "$LIVE_UVC_FUNCTION_MISSING" != "1" ]] \
@@ -1449,12 +1493,10 @@ cat <<'UNIT' | sudo tee /etc/systemd/system/lesavka-server.service >/dev/null
 [Unit]
 Description=lesavka gRPC relay
 After=network.target lesavka-core.service lesavka-uvc.service
-Wants=lesavka-uvc.service
 StartLimitIntervalSec=30
 StartLimitBurst=10
 
 [Service]
-ExecStartPre=/usr/local/bin/lesavka-core.sh --attach
 ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/lesavka-server
 TimeoutStopSec=10
 KillSignal=SIGTERM
@@ -1495,12 +1537,12 @@ if [[ -z ${LESAVKA_DISABLE_UVC:-} ]] && ! uvc_gadget_present; then
   GADGET_REBUILD_REASON="UVC function is missing from the live gadget"
   echo "⚠️  UVC function is missing from the live gadget; forcing a rebuild before server start."
 fi
-if [[ "$UVC_ENV_CHANGED" == "1" ]] && is_attached_state "$UDC_STATE"; then
+if [[ "$UVC_ENV_CHANGED" == "1" ]] && [[ "$HOST_GADGET_PROTECTED" == "1" ]]; then
   FORCE_GADGET_REBUILD=1
   GADGET_REBUILD_REASON="UVC runtime settings changed while the host is attached"
   echo "⚠️  UVC runtime settings changed while the host is attached; forcing a gadget rebuild so the new descriptors take effect."
 fi
-if [[ "$LIVE_UVC_DESCRIPTOR_MISMATCH" == "1" ]] && is_attached_state "$UDC_STATE"; then
+if [[ "$LIVE_UVC_DESCRIPTOR_MISMATCH" == "1" ]] && [[ "$HOST_GADGET_PROTECTED" == "1" ]]; then
   FORCE_GADGET_REBUILD=1
   GADGET_REBUILD_REASON="live UVC descriptor does not match requested codec ${INSTALL_UVC_CODEC}"
   echo "⚠️  live UVC descriptor does not match requested codec ${INSTALL_UVC_CODEC}; forcing a gadget rebuild so descriptors and runtime agree."
@@ -1511,14 +1553,14 @@ if [[ -n ${LESAVKA_FORCE_GADGET_REBUILD:-} ]]; then
   GADGET_REBUILD_REASON="explicit LESAVKA_FORCE_GADGET_REBUILD request"
   echo "⚠️  explicit LESAVKA_FORCE_GADGET_REBUILD request; forcing a gadget rebuild before server start."
 fi
-if [[ "$FORCE_GADGET_REBUILD" == "1" ]] && is_attached_state "$UDC_STATE" \
+if [[ "$FORCE_GADGET_REBUILD" == "1" ]] && [[ "$HOST_GADGET_PROTECTED" == "1" ]] \
   && { [[ "$EXPLICIT_GADGET_REBUILD" != "1" ]] || [[ -z ${LESAVKA_ALLOW_GADGET_RESET:-} ]]; }; then
-  echo "⚠️  ${GADGET_REBUILD_REASON:-Gadget state} requires a rebuild, but UDC state is '$UDC_STATE' and attached-host hard reset was not explicitly allowed." >&2
+  echo "⚠️  ${GADGET_REBUILD_REASON:-Gadget state} requires a rebuild, but UDC state is '$UDC_STATE' (bound=${LIVE_GADGET_BOUND}) and attached-host hard reset was not explicitly allowed." >&2
   echo "    Preserving the attached gadget to avoid wedging the Pi USB controller." >&2
   echo "    Run during a maintenance window with LESAVKA_ALLOW_GADGET_RESET=1 LESAVKA_FORCE_GADGET_REBUILD=1 if a hard rebuild is required." >&2
   FORCE_GADGET_REBUILD=0
 fi
-if [[ "$FORCE_GADGET_REBUILD" == "1" ]] || ! is_attached_state "$UDC_STATE"; then
+if [[ "$FORCE_GADGET_REBUILD" == "1" ]] || [[ "$HOST_GADGET_PROTECTED" != "1" ]]; then
   echo "⚠️  UDC state is '$UDC_STATE' - forcing a Lesavka gadget rebuild before server start."
   sudo systemctl stop lesavka-server >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
   sudo systemctl stop lesavka-uvc >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
@@ -1539,7 +1581,7 @@ if [[ "$FORCE_GADGET_REBUILD" == "1" ]] || ! is_attached_state "$UDC_STATE"; the
 elif [[ -n ${LESAVKA_ALLOW_GADGET_RESET:-} ]]; then
   echo "✅  UDC state is '$UDC_STATE'; LESAVKA_ALLOW_GADGET_RESET permits recovery, but no hard gadget rebuild is needed."
 else
-  echo "⚠️  UDC state is '$UDC_STATE' - skipping lesavka-core restart."
+  echo "⚠️  UDC state is '$UDC_STATE' (bound=${LIVE_GADGET_BOUND}) - skipping lesavka-core restart."
   echo "    Set LESAVKA_ALLOW_GADGET_RESET=1 LESAVKA_FORCE_GADGET_REBUILD=1 to force during a maintenance window."
 fi
 
@@ -1579,7 +1621,16 @@ sudo rm -f /etc/systemd/system/lesavka-watchdog.timer \
 echo "==> 6e. Systemd units - recovery ladder"
 echo "✅  recovery ladder unit files installed and timer enabled; activation waits for successful service verification."
 
-if [[ "$UVC_ENV_CHANGED" == "1" ]] && systemctl is-active --quiet lesavka-uvc; then
+CAN_TOUCH_UVC_SERVICE=1
+if [[ "$HOST_GADGET_PROTECTED" == "1" ]] \
+  && { [[ "$EXPLICIT_GADGET_REBUILD" != "1" ]] || [[ -z ${LESAVKA_ALLOW_GADGET_RESET:-} ]]; }; then
+  CAN_TOUCH_UVC_SERVICE=0
+fi
+if [[ "$CAN_TOUCH_UVC_SERVICE" != "1" ]] && systemctl is-active --quiet lesavka-uvc; then
+  echo "✅  lesavka-uvc already active; preserving it during attached-gadget version update."
+elif [[ "$CAN_TOUCH_UVC_SERVICE" != "1" ]]; then
+  echo "⚠️  lesavka-uvc is inactive, but the host/gadget is protected; not starting it during a version-only install." >&2
+elif [[ "$UVC_ENV_CHANGED" == "1" ]] && systemctl is-active --quiet lesavka-uvc; then
   sudo systemctl restart lesavka-uvc
   echo "✅  lesavka-uvc restarted with the refreshed UVC runtime settings."
 elif systemctl is-active --quiet lesavka-uvc; then
diff --git a/server/Cargo.toml b/server/Cargo.toml
index bd85bd5..3b4e4cb 100644
--- a/server/Cargo.toml
+++ b/server/Cargo.toml
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ bench                   = false
 
 [package]
 name                    = "lesavka_server"
-version                 = "0.22.4"
+version                 = "0.22.5"
 edition                 = "2024"
 autobins                = false
 
diff --git a/tests/installer/scripts/install/server_install_script_contract.rs b/tests/installer/scripts/install/server_install_script_contract.rs
index 408ef9e..71a5940 100644
--- a/tests/installer/scripts/install/server_install_script_contract.rs
+++ b/tests/installer/scripts/install/server_install_script_contract.rs
@@ -61,7 +61,12 @@ fn server_install_pins_hdmi_camera_and_display_defaults() {
         SERVER_INSTALL
             .contains("${LESAVKA_INSTALL_UPLINK_AUDIO_CODEC:-${LESAVKA_UPLINK_AUDIO_CODEC:-pcm}}")
     );
-    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_INSTALL_UVC_CODEC:-mjpeg}"));
+    assert!(
+        SERVER_INSTALL.contains(
+            "INSTALL_UVC_CODEC=${LESAVKA_INSTALL_UVC_CODEC:-${PERSISTED_UVC_CODEC:-mjpeg}}"
+        ),
+        "plain upgrade installs should preserve the already-installed UVC codec"
+    );
     assert!(
         SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_INSTALL_UVC_FRAME_META:-${LESAVKA_UVC_FRAME_META:-0}}")
     );
@@ -145,11 +150,11 @@ fn server_install_pins_hdmi_camera_and_display_defaults() {
         "installer should persist HEVC-specific calibration maps"
     );
     assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_INSTALL_SERVER_BIND_ADDR:-0.0.0.0:50051}"));
-    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_UVC_MAXPACKET:-1024}"));
-    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_UVC_INTERVAL:-333333}"));
-    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_UVC_WIDTH:-1280}"));
-    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_UVC_HEIGHT:-720}"));
-    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("${LESAVKA_UVC_CONTROL_READ_ONLY:-0}"));
+    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_MAXPACKET 1024"));
+    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_INTERVAL 333333"));
+    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_WIDTH 1280"));
+    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_HEIGHT 720"));
+    assert!(SERVER_INSTALL.contains("uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_CONTROL_READ_ONLY 0"));
     assert!(
         !SERVER_INSTALL.contains("LESAVKA_UVC_CODEC=${LESAVKA_UVC_CODEC:-mjpeg}"),
         "install script should not let ambient LESAVKA_UVC_CODEC leak into persisted defaults"
@@ -239,6 +244,12 @@ fn server_install_pins_hdmi_camera_and_display_defaults() {
         SERVER_INSTALL.contains("LIVE_UVC_FUNCTION_MISSING"),
         "installer should not rebuild a missing attached UVC function without explicit maintenance-window force"
     );
+    assert!(
+        SERVER_INSTALL.contains("live_gadget_bound")
+            && SERVER_INSTALL.contains("HOST_GADGET_PROTECTED=1")
+            && SERVER_INSTALL.contains("bound=${LIVE_GADGET_BOUND}"),
+        "installer should protect a bound gadget even when the UDC state is ambiguous"
+    );
     assert!(
         SERVER_INSTALL.contains("ATTACHED_UVC_RESTART_DEFERRED=1"),
         "attached UVC env changes that match the live descriptor should still defer service restarts"
@@ -338,6 +349,12 @@ fn server_install_pins_hdmi_camera_and_display_defaults() {
         SERVER_INSTALL.contains("lesavka-uvc already active; runtime settings unchanged."),
         "install script should avoid unnecessary UVC restarts when nothing changed"
     );
+    assert!(
+        SERVER_INSTALL.contains("CAN_TOUCH_UVC_SERVICE=0")
+            && SERVER_INSTALL.contains("preserving it during attached-gadget version update")
+            && SERVER_INSTALL.contains("not starting it during a version-only install"),
+        "ordinary attached-gadget version updates must not start or restart the UVC helper"
+    );
     assert!(
         SERVER_INSTALL.contains("sudo systemctl start lesavka-uvc"),
         "install script should start the UVC helper so the host enumerates the UVC function"
@@ -347,8 +364,9 @@ fn server_install_pins_hdmi_camera_and_display_defaults() {
         "install script should report when it starts the UVC helper for enumeration"
     );
     assert!(
-        SERVER_INSTALL.contains("Wants=lesavka-uvc.service"),
-        "server unit should pull in the external UVC helper on UVC installs"
+        !SERVER_INSTALL.contains("Wants=lesavka-uvc.service")
+            && !SERVER_INSTALL.contains("ExecStartPre=/usr/local/bin/lesavka-core.sh --attach"),
+        "server restarts during ordinary installs must not implicitly start UVC or touch the gadget"
     );
     assert!(
         !SERVER_INSTALL.contains("Environment=LESAVKA_ALLOW_GADGET_CYCLE=1"),
diff --git a/tests/regression/install/install_preserves_codec_settings_contract.rs b/tests/regression/install/install_preserves_codec_settings_contract.rs
index 577668e..d2a801e 100644
--- a/tests/regression/install/install_preserves_codec_settings_contract.rs
+++ b/tests/regression/install/install_preserves_codec_settings_contract.rs
@@ -18,11 +18,13 @@ const CLIENT_CAMERA: &str = include_str!(concat!(
 #[test]
 fn server_install_defaults_to_hevc_ingress_and_mjpeg_uvc_output() {
     for marker in [
-        "INSTALL_UVC_CODEC=${LESAVKA_INSTALL_UVC_CODEC:-mjpeg}",
+        "PERSISTED_UVC_CODEC=$(persisted_uvc_value LESAVKA_UVC_CODEC || true)",
+        "INSTALL_UVC_CODEC=${LESAVKA_INSTALL_UVC_CODEC:-${PERSISTED_UVC_CODEC:-mjpeg}}",
         "INSTALL_CAM_CODEC=${LESAVKA_INSTALL_CAM_CODEC:-${LESAVKA_CAM_CODEC:-hevc}}",
         "printf 'LESAVKA_CAM_CODEC=%s\\n' \"${INSTALL_CAM_CODEC}\"",
         "printf 'LESAVKA_UVC_CODEC=%s\\n' \"${INSTALL_UVC_CODEC}\"",
         "\"LESAVKA_UVC_CODEC=${INSTALL_UVC_CODEC}\"",
+        "uvc_env_value LESAVKA_UVC_WIDTH 1280",
     ] {
         assert!(
             SERVER_INSTALL.contains(marker),
diff --git a/tests/system/scripts/install/systemd_unit_env_contract.rs b/tests/system/scripts/install/systemd_unit_env_contract.rs
index a940f16..f42ff38 100644
--- a/tests/system/scripts/install/systemd_unit_env_contract.rs
+++ b/tests/system/scripts/install/systemd_unit_env_contract.rs
@@ -16,10 +16,8 @@ fn generated_systemd_units_load_runtime_env_files_in_the_right_places() {
     for marker in [
         "EnvironmentFile=-/etc/lesavka/server.env",
         "EnvironmentFile=-/etc/lesavka/uvc.env",
-        "ExecStartPre=/usr/local/bin/lesavka-core.sh --attach",
         "ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/lesavka-server",
         "ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/lesavka-uvc.sh",
-        "Wants=lesavka-uvc.service",
         "Requires=lesavka-core.service",
     ] {
         assert!(
@@ -27,6 +25,15 @@ fn generated_systemd_units_load_runtime_env_files_in_the_right_places() {
             "generated units should preserve marker {marker}"
         );
     }
+    for marker in [
+        "ExecStartPre=/usr/local/bin/lesavka-core.sh --attach",
+        "Wants=lesavka-uvc.service",
+    ] {
+        assert!(
+            !SERVER_INSTALL.contains(marker),
+            "server restarts should not implicitly touch gadget/UVC setup through {marker}"
+        );
+    }
 }
 
 #[test]