diff --git a/Sources/QuitConfirmationAlertPresenter.swift b/Sources/QuitConfirmationAlertPresenter.swift
index 6411a3938394..9a480d064dcf 100644
--- a/Sources/QuitConfirmationAlertPresenter.swift
+++ b/Sources/QuitConfirmationAlertPresenter.swift
@@ -58,6 +58,8 @@ final class QuitConfirmationAlertPresenter: NSObject, NSWindowDelegate {
     }
 
     private func presentStandalone() {
+        alert.layout()
+
         let buttons = alert.buttons
         if buttons.indices.contains(0) {
             buttons[0].target = self
diff --git a/cmuxTests/QuitConfirmationAlertPresenterTests.swift b/cmuxTests/QuitConfirmationAlertPresenterTests.swift
index 11020133e84d..07d4c4c07754 100644
--- a/cmuxTests/QuitConfirmationAlertPresenterTests.swift
+++ b/cmuxTests/QuitConfirmationAlertPresenterTests.swift
@@ -98,6 +98,13 @@ struct QuitConfirmationAlertPresenterTests {
         #expect(!alert.didRunModal)
         #expect(completedResponse == nil)
 
+        // NSAlert starts with a lazy placeholder layout that stacks full-width
+        // buttons. The standalone presenter must resolve that layout before the
+        // alert becomes visible or the panel renders clipped and washed out.
+        let buttonFrames = alert.buttons.map(\.frame)
+        #expect(buttonFrames.count == 2)
+        #expect(abs(buttonFrames[0].midY - buttonFrames[1].midY) < 0.5)
+
         alert.buttons[0].performClick(nil)
 
         #expect(completedResponse == .alertFirstButtonReturn)