diff --git a/hosts/common/programs/calls.nix b/hosts/common/programs/calls.nix
index 2c1fc6daf..a2a25cbe3 100644
--- a/hosts/common/programs/calls.nix
+++ b/hosts/common/programs/calls.nix
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 # - can i receive calls even with GUI closed?
 #   - e.g. activated by callaudiod?
 #   - looks like `gnome-calls --daemon` does that?
-{ config, lib, ... }:
+{ config, lib, pkgs, ... }:
 let
   cfg = config.sane.programs.calls;
 in
@@ -30,6 +30,17 @@ in
       };
     };
 
+    packageUnwrapped = pkgs.calls.overrideAttrs (upstream: {
+      patches = (upstream.patches or []) ++ [
+        (pkgs.fetchpatch {
+          # usability improvement... if the UI is visible, then i can receive calls. otherwise, i can't!
+          url = "https://git.uninsane.org/colin/gnome-calls/commit/a19166d85927e59662fae189a780eed18bf876ce.patch";
+          name = "exit on close (i.e. never daemonize)";
+          hash = "sha256-NoVQV2TlkCcsBt0uwSyK82hBKySUW4pADrJVfLFvWgU=";
+        })
+      ];
+    });
+
     persist.byStore.private = [
       # ".cache/folks"      # contact avatars?
       # ".config/calls"
@@ -48,7 +59,10 @@ in
       description = "gnome-calls daemon to monitor incoming SIP calls";
       partOf = lib.mkIf cfg.config.autostart [ "graphical-session" ];
       # add --verbose for more debugging
-      command = "env G_MESSAGES_DEBUG=all gnome-calls --daemon";
+      # add --daemon to avoid showing UI on launch.
+      #   note that no matter the flags, it returns to being a daemon whenever the UI is manually closed,
+      #   revealed when launched.
+      command = "env G_MESSAGES_DEBUG=all gnome-calls";
     };
   };
   programs.calls = lib.mkIf cfg.enabled {