diff --git a/install-compiled.sh b/install-compiled.sh
index 9615789..88b6fe6 100755
--- a/install-compiled.sh
+++ b/install-compiled.sh
@@ -11,7 +11,17 @@ get_installed_version() {
   local app="$1"
   local gui="$2"
 
-  # Skip --version check for GUI apps as it would launch them
+  # Check version file first — it's authoritative for compiled apps
+  if [ -f "$VERSION_FILE" ]; then
+    local stored
+    stored=$(grep "^$app=" "$VERSION_FILE" | cut -d'=' -f2)
+    if [ -n "$stored" ]; then
+      echo "$stored"
+      return
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  # Fall back to --version for non-GUI apps not yet in the version file
   if [ "$gui" != "true" ]; then
     if command -v "$app" &> /dev/null; then
       local ver
@@ -23,16 +33,6 @@ get_installed_version() {
     fi
   fi
 
-  # Fall back to version file
-  if [ -f "$VERSION_FILE" ]; then
-    local stored
-    stored=$(grep "^$app=" "$VERSION_FILE" | cut -d'=' -f2)
-    if [ -n "$stored" ]; then
-      echo "$stored"
-      return
-    fi
-  fi
-
   echo "unknown"
 }