diff --git a/client/server/server.go b/client/server/server.go
index eb6a8f2bc..01778b8e0 100644
--- a/client/server/server.go
+++ b/client/server/server.go
@@ -1815,6 +1815,9 @@ func (s *Server) RequestExtendAuthSession(
 	if connectClient == nil {
 		return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.FailedPrecondition, "client is not running")
 	}
+	if connectClient.Engine() == nil {
+		return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.FailedPrecondition, "session can no longer be extended, log in again to reconnect")
+	}
 
 	hint := ""
 	if msg.Hint != nil {
diff --git a/client/ui/frontend/src/modules/session/SessionExpirationDialog.tsx b/client/ui/frontend/src/modules/session/SessionExpirationDialog.tsx
index 10e71babb..ef8d6862f 100644
--- a/client/ui/frontend/src/modules/session/SessionExpirationDialog.tsx
+++ b/client/ui/frontend/src/modules/session/SessionExpirationDialog.tsx
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import { DialogHeading } from "@/components/dialog/DialogHeading";
 import { SquareIcon } from "@/components/SquareIcon";
 import { Connection, Profiles as ProfilesSvc, Session, WindowManager } from "@bindings/services";
 import { useAutoSizeWindow } from "@/hooks/useAutoSizeWindow";
-import { EVENT_BROWSER_LOGIN_CANCEL } from "@/lib/connection";
+import { EVENT_BROWSER_LOGIN_CANCEL, EVENT_TRIGGER_LOGIN } from "@/lib/connection";
 import { errorDialog, formatErrorMessage } from "@/lib/errors.ts";
 import { formatRemaining } from "@/lib/formatters";
 
@@ -131,6 +131,21 @@ export default function SessionExpirationDialog() {
         }
     }, [busy, t]);
 
+    const authenticate = useCallback(async () => {
+        if (busy) return;
+        setBusy(true);
+        try {
+            await Events.Emit(EVENT_TRIGGER_LOGIN);
+            await WindowManager.CloseSessionExpiration();
+        } catch (e) {
+            setBusy(false);
+            await errorDialog({
+                Title: t("connect.error.loginTitle"),
+                Message: formatErrorMessage(e),
+            });
+        }
+    }, [busy, t]);
+
     const logout = useCallback(async () => {
         if (busy) return;
         setBusy(true);
@@ -185,7 +200,7 @@ export default function SessionExpirationDialog() {
                     variant={"primary"}
                     size={"md"}
                     className={"w-full"}
-                    onClick={stay}
+                    onClick={expired ? authenticate : stay}
                     disabled={busy}
                 >
                     {expired ? t("sessionExpiration.authenticate") : t("sessionExpiration.stay")}
diff --git a/client/ui/tray_session.go b/client/ui/tray_session.go
index 885fdb348..f25419894 100644
--- a/client/ui/tray_session.go
+++ b/client/ui/tray_session.go
@@ -27,11 +27,10 @@ const (
 	finalWarningCountdownSeconds = 120
 )
 
-// handleSessionExpired notifies and brings the window forward so the frontend's /login route drives renewal.
+// handleSessionExpired notifies and brings the window forward so the user can reconnect.
 func (t *Tray) handleSessionExpired() {
 	t.notify(t.loc.T("notify.sessionExpired.title"), t.loc.T("notify.sessionExpired.body"), notifyIDSessionExpired)
 	if t.window != nil {
-		t.window.SetURL("/#/login")
 		t.window.Show()
 		t.window.Focus()
 	}
@@ -308,11 +307,7 @@ func (t *Tray) openSessionExtendFlow() {
 	}
 	seconds := int(time.Until(deadline).Seconds())
 	if seconds <= 0 {
-		if t.window != nil {
-			t.window.SetURL("/#/login")
-			t.window.Show()
-			t.window.Focus()
-		}
+		t.app.Event.Emit(services.EventTriggerLogin)
 		return
 	}
 	if t.svc.WindowManager == nil {