diff --git a/scripts/dispatcher.py b/scripts/dispatcher.py
index f740c46..c42e3c2 100644
--- a/scripts/dispatcher.py
+++ b/scripts/dispatcher.py
@@ -209,7 +209,9 @@ def do_extract(job: sqlite3.Row, worker: dict) -> str:
         ssh(worker["ssh_alias"], f"setsid bash -c {shlex.quote(bg)} >/dev/null 2>&1 &")
 
         while True:
-            rc_done, _, _ = ssh(worker["ssh_alias"], f"test -f {shlex.quote(exit_file)}")
+            # Use -s (file exists AND size > 0) to avoid race: setsid bash writes the exit code
+            # AFTER ffmpeg finishes; a plain -f can match a zero-byte placeholder mid-write.
+            rc_done, _, _ = ssh(worker["ssh_alias"], f"test -s {shlex.quote(exit_file)}")
             current = count_frames(worker, frames_dir)
             pct = min(99, current * 100 // total_frames_est)
             set_status(job["id"], frame_count=current, progress=pct)