diff --git a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp
index b3789657..be201fb4 100644
--- a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp
+++ b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp
@@ -1741,7 +1741,7 @@ void MyMesh::loop() {
       Serial.println("OTA: aborted, MQTT stop did not complete cleanly - resuming bridge");
       otaAlert("OTA aborted: MQTT stop unclean, bridge resumed");
       setBridgeState(true);
-    } else if (!_cli.getBoard()->otaFromManifest(ota_resolve_base(_prefs.ota_channel), getFirmwareVer(), false, ota_reply)) {
+    } else if (!_cli.getBoard()->otaFromManifest(ota_resolve_base(_ota_update_channel), getFirmwareVer(), false, ota_reply)) {
       Serial.print("OTA: aborted, resuming bridge - "); Serial.println(ota_reply);
       char ota_alert_msg[160];
       snprintf(ota_alert_msg, sizeof(ota_alert_msg), "OTA aborted: %s", ota_reply);
diff --git a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.h b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.h
index a232ef52..c1e03a8e 100644
--- a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.h
+++ b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.h
@@ -123,6 +123,7 @@ class MyMesh : public mesh::Mesh, public CommonCLICallbacks
   CayenneLPP telemetry;
   unsigned long set_radio_at, revert_radio_at;
   unsigned long _ota_update_at = 0;  // deferred `ota update` fire time (0 = none scheduled)
+  uint8_t _ota_update_channel = 0;   // channel `ota update` checked; a later `ota branch` cannot retarget it
   float pending_freq;
   float pending_bw;
   uint8_t pending_sf;
@@ -441,6 +442,7 @@ public:
   bool beginDeferredOtaUpdate() override {
     _ota_update_at = millis() + 2500;
     if (_ota_update_at == 0) _ota_update_at = 1;  // 0 means "none"
+    _ota_update_channel = _prefs.ota_channel;
 #if defined(WITH_MQTT_BRIDGE)
     // Broadcast START now, while the loop still runs (the 2.5 s reply window):
     // the deferred flash blocks the loop and, on success, reboots — so a start
diff --git a/examples/simple_room_server/MyMesh.cpp b/examples/simple_room_server/MyMesh.cpp
index 2e97d491..079e43fa 100644
--- a/examples/simple_room_server/MyMesh.cpp
+++ b/examples/simple_room_server/MyMesh.cpp
@@ -1617,7 +1617,7 @@ void MyMesh::loop() {
     }
 
     char ota_reply[160];
-    if (may_flash && !_cli.getBoard()->otaFromManifest(ota_resolve_base(_prefs.ota_channel), getFirmwareVer(), false, ota_reply)) {
+    if (may_flash && !_cli.getBoard()->otaFromManifest(ota_resolve_base(_ota_update_channel), getFirmwareVer(), false, ota_reply)) {
       Serial.print("OTA: aborted - "); Serial.println(ota_reply);
       may_flash = false;
     }
diff --git a/examples/simple_room_server/MyMesh.h b/examples/simple_room_server/MyMesh.h
index b0eb4e8f..ef7fb515 100644
--- a/examples/simple_room_server/MyMesh.h
+++ b/examples/simple_room_server/MyMesh.h
@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@ class MyMesh : public mesh::Mesh, public CommonCLICallbacks
   TransportKey default_scope;
   unsigned long set_radio_at, revert_radio_at;
   unsigned long _ota_update_at = 0;  // deferred `ota update` fire time (0 = none scheduled)
+  uint8_t _ota_update_channel = 0;   // channel `ota update` checked; a later `ota branch` cannot retarget it
   float pending_freq;
   float pending_bw;
   uint8_t pending_sf;
@@ -433,6 +434,7 @@ public:
   bool beginDeferredOtaUpdate() override {
     _ota_update_at = millis() + 2500;
     if (_ota_update_at == 0) _ota_update_at = 1;  // 0 means "none"
+    _ota_update_channel = _prefs.ota_channel;
     return true;
   }