diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index aa64357..88e9b54 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "speedometer",
-  "version": "0.0.84",
+  "version": "0.0.85",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "speedometer",
-      "version": "0.0.84",
+      "version": "0.0.85",
       "hasInstallScript": true,
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index dd00a77..3baac24 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "speedometer",
-  "version": "0.0.84",
+  "version": "0.0.85",
   "description": "Minimal PWA speedometer that displays GPS speed. Includes TypeScript script to render PNG icons from SVG using sharp.",
   "license": "MIT",
   "private": true,
diff --git a/src/app.ts b/src/app.ts
index d10999d..bdcfe82 100644
--- a/src/app.ts
+++ b/src/app.ts
@@ -266,14 +266,24 @@ function handlePosition(pos: GeolocationPosition): void {
   const { speed, accuracy } = pos.coords;
 
   // Update speed only when native speed is provided and valid
-  if (typeof speed === "number" && Number.isFinite(speed) && speed >= 0) {
+  // Treat "null" as a valid value (placeholder), regardless of previous state
+  const isValidSpeed = typeof speed === "number" && Number.isFinite(speed) && speed >= 0;
+  const isNullSpeed = speed === null;
+
+  if (isValidSpeed || isNullSpeed) {
     const now = Date.now();
-    lastSpeedMs = speed;
-    renderSpeed(speed);
     lastUpdateTimestamp = now;
     if (warningEl) {
       warningEl.hidden = true;
     }
+
+    if (isValidSpeed) {
+      lastSpeedMs = speed;
+      renderSpeed(speed!);
+    } else {
+      lastSpeedMs = null;
+      showPlaceholder();
+    }
   }
 
   // Status/accuracy
diff --git a/tests/e2e/null_speed.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/null_speed.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d96b0f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/null_speed.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+import { expect, test } from "@playwright/test";
+
+test.describe("Speedometer Null Speed Handling", () => {
+  test.beforeEach(async ({ page, context }) => {
+    await context.grantPermissions(["geolocation"]);
+
+    // Inject mocks BEFORE the page loads scripts to pass startup checks
+    await page.addInitScript(() => {
+      // Enable Test Mode to bypass strict device checks
+      (window as any).__TEST_MODE__ = true;
+
+      // Mock Geolocation
+      (window as any).__geoSuccessCallback = null;
+
+      const mockGeolocation = {
+        watchPosition: (success: any) => {
+          (window as any).__geoSuccessCallback = success;
+          return 123;
+        },
+        clearWatch: () => {},
+        getCurrentPosition: () => {},
+      };
+
+      try {
+        Object.defineProperty(navigator, "geolocation", {
+          value: mockGeolocation,
+          configurable: true,
+        });
+      } catch (e) {
+        console.error("Failed to mock navigator.geolocation:", e);
+      }
+
+      // Clear storage
+      localStorage.clear();
+      localStorage.setItem("info-popover-shown", "true");
+    });
+
+    await page.goto("/");
+  });
+
+  test("Updates to placeholder when speed becomes null", async ({ page }) => {
+    // Wait for watchPosition to be called
+    await page.waitForFunction(() => (window as any).__geoSuccessCallback !== null, null, { timeout: 5000 });
+
+    // 1. Send valid speed (10 m/s approx 22 mph)
+    await page.evaluate(() => {
+      const position = {
+        coords: {
+          speed: 10,
+          accuracy: 5,
+          latitude: 0,
+          longitude: 0,
+          altitude: null,
+          altitudeAccuracy: null,
+          heading: null,
+        },
+        timestamp: Date.now(),
+      };
+      (window as any).__geoSuccessCallback(position);
+    });
+
+    const speedEl = page.locator("#speed");
+    await expect(speedEl).not.toHaveText("———");
+    await expect(speedEl).not.toHaveText("0"); // 10 m/s is not 0
+
+    // 2. Send null speed
+    await page.evaluate(() => {
+      const position = {
+        coords: {
+          speed: null,
+          accuracy: 10,
+          latitude: 0,
+          longitude: 0,
+          altitude: null,
+          altitudeAccuracy: null,
+          heading: null,
+        },
+        timestamp: Date.now(),
+      };
+      (window as any).__geoSuccessCallback(position);
+    });
+
+    // 3. Verify it shows placeholder
+    await expect(speedEl).toHaveText("———", { timeout: 2000 });
+  });
+});