diff --git a/tests/browser/inspector-concept.spec.mjs b/tests/browser/inspector-concept.spec.mjs
index 0a43d7f..48b2473 100644
--- a/tests/browser/inspector-concept.spec.mjs
+++ b/tests/browser/inspector-concept.spec.mjs
@@ -228,7 +228,8 @@ async function productionSendOf(page,context) {
 async function tagOf(page) {
     const before=await page.locator('#result-count').textContent();
     await panelOf(page).locator('.detail-inner > .tags').last().getByRole('button',{name:'cinematic',exact:true}).click();
-    await expect.poll(()=>page.locator('#result-count').textContent()).not.toBe(before);
+    // Production's caption reads "Loading images…" until the tag's listing answers (#391); the concept's search is instant.
+    await expect.poll(async()=>{const text=await page.locator('#result-count').textContent();return text!==before&&text!=='Loading images…';}).toBe(true);
     await settle(page);
     return {count:await page.locator('#result-count').textContent(),
         cards:await page.locator(`${CARDS} .image-open`).evaluateAll(nodes=>nodes.map(node=>node.getAttribute('aria-label')))};
@@ -328,6 +329,25 @@ test('a recipe-linked image without recipe metadata shows its positive prompt me
     await expect(panelOf(page).locator('.detail-footer button')).toHaveText(['Send to ComfyUI','Prompt history']);
 });
 
+// #391: a tag chip replaces the collection; until its listing answers the caption says it is loading, never that the
+// filter matched nothing ("0 of 0 images" was painted before the response and read by a fast reader).
+test('a tag chip collection reads as loading, not empty, until its listing answers (#391)',async({page})=>{
+    await page.setViewportSize({width:1600,height:1100});
+    await openProductionPanel(page,'dark');
+    let release,arrived;
+    const held=new Promise(resolve=>{release=resolve;}),reached=new Promise(resolve=>{arrived=resolve;});
+    await page.route(url=>url.pathname==='/prompt_manager/images/output'&&url.searchParams.get('tags')==='cinematic',
+        async route=>{arrived();await held;await route.continue();},{times:1});
+    const count=page.locator('#result-count');
+    await panelOf(page).locator('.detail-inner > .tags').last().getByRole('button',{name:'cinematic',exact:true}).click();
+    await reached;
+    await expect(count).toHaveText('Loading images…');
+    await expect(page.locator(CARDS)).toHaveCount(0);
+    release();
+    await expect(count).toHaveText(countCopy('8 of 8 images · 2 positive prompts'));
+    await expect(page.locator(CARDS)).toHaveCount(8);
+});
+
 // Task C3 (D88, #249 PR C): the concept's chip row is the image's own tags (`i.tags`, app.js a402). With those names
 // saved as the file's current image tags, production draws the row from them (Tags filter buttons in the panel, plain
 // in the viewer, the linked positive's equal tags not repeated) and still equals the concept, in both sizes.
diff --git a/tests/js/workspace-images-state.test.js b/tests/js/workspace-images-state.test.js
index 49cc080..db74a8b 100644
--- a/tests/js/workspace-images-state.test.js
+++ b/tests/js/workspace-images-state.test.js
@@ -234,6 +234,23 @@ test('the count line reads N of M images and K positive prompts only when known'
     assert.equal(countLine({loaded:1200,total:3400,positiveCount:0}),'1,200 of 3,400 images · 0 positive prompts');
 });
 
+test('the count line reads as loading, never as an empty result, until a first page answers (#391)', async () => {
+    const {countLine,createImageStream}=await source;
+    assert.equal(countLine({loaded:0,total:0,positiveCount:null,loading:true,error:null}),'Loading images…');
+    // A failed first page and a settled empty one say what the server said; a later page keeps the loaded count.
+    assert.equal(countLine({loaded:0,total:0,positiveCount:null,loading:false,error:new Error('x')}),'0 of 0 images');
+    assert.equal(countLine({loaded:0,total:0,positiveCount:0,loading:false,error:null}),'0 of 0 images · 0 positive prompts');
+    assert.equal(countLine({loaded:40,total:102,positiveCount:2,loading:true,error:null}),'40 of 102 images · 2 positive prompts');
+    // While a reset's first page is in flight the line reads as loading (the cleared state before it is replaced in
+    // the same task, so it is never painted).
+    let answer;const lines=[];
+    const stream=createImageStream({api:{get:()=>new Promise(resolve=>{answer=resolve;})},onChange:state=>lines.push(countLine(state))});
+    const loading=stream.reset({tags:['cinematic']});
+    assert.equal(lines.at(-1),'Loading images…');
+    answer({images:[{path:'a.png',root_index:0}],total:1,has_more:false,next_cursor:null,positive_count:1});await loading;
+    assert.equal(lines.at(-1),'1 of 1 image · 1 positive prompt');
+});
+
 test('the caption date names the newest result day under Newest first only', async () => {
     const {captionDate}=await source;
     const now=new Date(2026,9,17,15,0);
diff --git a/web/js/workspace/images-state.mjs b/web/js/workspace/images-state.mjs
index 3b702f7..99364b9 100644
--- a/web/js/workspace/images-state.mjs
+++ b/web/js/workspace/images-state.mjs
@@ -275,8 +275,13 @@ export function createImageStream({ api, onChange = () => {}, batchSize = 40, re
     };
 }
 
-/** The concept's count line (app.js a446): "N of M images · K positive prompts", without the count while unknown. */
-export function countLine({ loaded, total, positiveCount }) {
+/**
+ * The concept's count line (app.js a446): "N of M images · K positive prompts", without the count while unknown, and
+ * the page's first "Loading images…" while a first page loads.
+ */
+export function countLine({ loaded, total, positiveCount, loading = false, error = null }) {
+    // A first page in flight has no count yet: "0 of 0 images" would claim the filter matched nothing (#391).
+    if (loading && !loaded && !error) return 'Loading images…';
     const images = `${loaded.toLocaleString('en-US')} of ${total.toLocaleString('en-US')} ${noun(total, 'image')}`;
     return isCount(positiveCount) ? `${images} · ${positiveCount.toLocaleString('en-US')} ${noun(positiveCount, 'positive prompt')}` : images;
 }