diff --git a/app/fanout/mqtt_ha.py b/app/fanout/mqtt_ha.py
index f6fb21e..094c651 100644
--- a/app/fanout/mqtt_ha.py
+++ b/app/fanout/mqtt_ha.py
@@ -401,6 +401,7 @@ class MqttHaModule(FanoutModule):
     # ── Lifecycle ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
     async def start(self) -> None:
+        self._seed_radio_identity_from_runtime()
         settings = _config_to_settings(self.config)
         await self._publisher.start(settings)
 
@@ -480,6 +481,29 @@ class MqttHaModule(FanoutModule):
             pass
         return pub_key[:12]
 
+    def _seed_radio_identity_from_runtime(self) -> None:
+        """Best-effort bootstrap from the currently connected radio session."""
+        try:
+            from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime
+
+            if not radio_runtime.is_connected:
+                return
+
+            mc = radio_runtime.meshcore
+            self_info = mc.self_info if mc is not None else None
+            if not isinstance(self_info, dict):
+                return
+
+            pub_key = self_info.get("public_key")
+            if isinstance(pub_key, str) and pub_key.strip():
+                self._radio_key = pub_key.strip().lower()
+
+            name = self_info.get("name")
+            if isinstance(name, str) and name.strip():
+                self._radio_name = name.strip()
+        except Exception:
+            logger.debug("HA MQTT: failed to seed radio identity from runtime", exc_info=True)
+
     # ── Event handlers ────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
     async def on_health(self, data: dict) -> None:
diff --git a/tests/test_mqtt_ha.py b/tests/test_mqtt_ha.py
index f0b500c..d8973fc 100644
--- a/tests/test_mqtt_ha.py
+++ b/tests/test_mqtt_ha.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 """Tests for the Home Assistant MQTT Discovery fanout module."""
 
+from types import SimpleNamespace
 from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, MagicMock
 
 import pytest
@@ -286,6 +287,31 @@ class TestMqttHaHealth:
         assert mod._radio_name == "MyRadio"
 
 
+class TestMqttHaLifecycle:
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_start_seeds_radio_identity_from_connected_runtime(self, monkeypatch):
+        from app.services.radio_runtime import radio_runtime
+
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            radio_runtime.manager,
+            "_meshcore",
+            SimpleNamespace(
+                is_connected=True,
+                self_info={"public_key": "AABBCCDDEEFF", "name": "MyRadio"},
+            ),
+        )
+
+        mod = MqttHaModule("test", _base_config())
+        mod._publisher = MagicMock()
+        mod._publisher.start = AsyncMock()
+
+        await mod.start()
+
+        assert mod._radio_key == "aabbccddeeff"
+        assert mod._radio_name == "MyRadio"
+        mod._publisher.start.assert_awaited_once()
+
+
 class TestMqttHaMessage:
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_on_message_publishes_event(self):