diff --git a/TESTING.md b/TESTING.md
index c4ed58c..fc3c0b4 100644
--- a/TESTING.md
+++ b/TESTING.md
@@ -1297,9 +1297,10 @@ mapped differences"):
   video previews in the same `#local-preview` slot as `video.local-file-preview` with
   native `controls`, `playsInline`, `preload="metadata"` and `muted`, never autoplays
   inline, and is paused, has its `src` removed and is removed from the page on replacement
-  or dispose, before its URL is revoked; its `load()` reset runs in the next task, because
-  WebKit (GStreamer) blocked the page when a still-starting video was reset in the same
-  task (`replacing a video that just started loading never blocks the page`).
+  or dispose, before its URL is revoked. A settled video (metadata read, or failed) is then
+  reset with `load()`; one still starting is not, because WebKit (GStreamer) blocked the
+  page when such a pipeline was reset (`replacing a video that just started loading never
+  blocks the page`).
 - **D63** (status line): one `p.small.spaced-16` in `#local-preview`, for states the
   concept never shows: "Drop one file at a time.", "Folders cannot be inspected. Choose
   one image or video file.", "This file type cannot be previewed or inspected here.
diff --git a/tests/browser/workspace-inspect.spec.mjs b/tests/browser/workspace-inspect.spec.mjs
index f429946..c9844de 100644
--- a/tests/browser/workspace-inspect.spec.mjs
+++ b/tests/browser/workspace-inspect.spec.mjs
@@ -355,6 +355,8 @@ test('URLs and media end with their owning session', async ({ page }) => {
     });
     await choose(page, localFixture('core-tags.webm', 'video/webm'));
     await expect(preview(page).locator('video')).toBeVisible();
+    // A settled video (metadata read, or failed) is reset with load() when it is released.
+    await expect.poll(() => preview(page).locator('video').evaluate(node => node.readyState >= 1 || !!node.error)).toBe(true);
     // Replacement.
     await choose(page, parityPng('f02.png'));
     await expect(preview(page).locator('img.local-file-preview')).toBeVisible();
@@ -393,9 +395,9 @@ test('URLs and media end with their owning session', async ({ page }) => {
 
 test('replacing a video that just started loading never blocks the page', async ({ context, browserName }) => {
     test.setTimeout(120000);
-    // WebKit (GStreamer) blocked the page when a video's pipeline was reset with load() in the same task that
-    // removed its src, while it was still starting: the next chooser selection never completed. Each fresh page
-    // replaces its first video as soon as it shows.
+    // WebKit (GStreamer) blocked the page when a video whose pipeline was still starting was reset with load(): the
+    // next chooser selection, or the steps after it, never completed. Each fresh page replaces its first video as
+    // soon as it shows.
     for (let attempt = 0; attempt < 15; attempt++) {
         const page = await context.newPage();
         try {
diff --git a/web/js/workspace/inspect.mjs b/web/js/workspace/inspect.mjs
index 29bad24..cb2dd53 100644
--- a/web/js/workspace/inspect.mjs
+++ b/web/js/workspace/inspect.mjs
@@ -39,13 +39,16 @@ function element(tag, className, text) {
 
 /**
  * Stops a preview from holding its blob: URL: media is paused and its src dropped before the session revokes the URL.
- * The media resets with load() in the next task: WebKit (GStreamer) blocked the page when a starting video was reset in
- * the same task that removed its src.
+ * A settled video (metadata read, or failed) is then reset with load() to free its decoder at once. A video still
+ * starting is not: WebKit (GStreamer) blocked the page when such a pipeline was reset, so it is left to be collected.
  */
 function releaseMedia(node) {
     if (!node) return;
-    if (node instanceof HTMLMediaElement) { node.pause(); node.removeAttribute('src'); setTimeout(() => node.load(), 0); }
-    else node.removeAttribute('src');
+    if (node instanceof HTMLMediaElement) {
+        const settled = node.readyState >= HTMLMediaElement.HAVE_METADATA || node.error !== null;
+        node.pause(); node.removeAttribute('src');
+        if (settled) node.load();
+    } else node.removeAttribute('src');
     node.remove();
 }