diff --git a/public/start.js b/public/start.js
index 62b9a4e..3bdb2d1 100644
--- a/public/start.js
+++ b/public/start.js
@@ -13,9 +13,21 @@ function invitedBy(){
   }catch(e){}
   return null;
 }
+function placementChoice(){
+  try{
+    const q=new URLSearchParams(location.search).get('direct');
+    if(q==='1'||q==='0')return q;
+    const m=document.cookie.match(/(?:^|;\s*)rmc_direct=([01])/);
+    if(m)return m[1];
+  }catch(e){}
+  return null;
+}
 async function load(){
   try{
     const ref=invitedBy();
+    // an explicit ?direct=1/0 from the invite link wins over the position's default, and it
+    // has to be in scope for the join button further down — not just the display block
+    const dq=placementChoice();
     const [cr,sr]=await Promise.all([
       fetch('/api/public/config'),
       fetch(ref?('/api/public/member?id='+encodeURIComponent(ref)):'/api/public/current-sponsor')
@@ -26,10 +38,6 @@ async function load(){
       // Route exactly the way that member's own invite page would: their moving link sends
       // the join to the next position in their leg, unless their position is set to take
       // direct placements. Same rules, so the two pages can never disagree.
-      // an explicit ?direct=1/0 from the invite link wins over the position's default
-      const dq=(function(){try{const q=new URLSearchParams(location.search).get('direct');
-        if(q==='1'||q==='0')return q;
-        const m=document.cookie.match(/(?:^|;\s*)rmc_direct=([01])/);return m?m[1]:null;}catch(e){return null}})();
       const goDirect=dq==='1'||(dq!=='0'&&(s.directDefault||!s.joinTarget));
       const t=goDirect?{id:s.id,referralUrl:s.referralUrl,directCount:s.directCount}:s.joinTarget;
       currentSponsor={id:t.id,name:null,directs:(t.directCount!==undefined?t.directCount:0),goal:2,referralUrl:t.referralUrl};