diff --git a/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx b/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx
index 17626351..c761540c 100644
--- a/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx
+++ b/src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx
@@ -503,6 +503,7 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
             
             if (mergeResult.hasChanges) {
               setItems(mergeResult.items);
+              itemsRef.current = mergeResult.items; // Update ref immediately to prevent stale comparisons
               console.log('🔄 Queue updated (replace mode):', {
                 added: mergeResult.changes.added.length,
                 removed: mergeResult.changes.removed.length,
@@ -534,6 +535,7 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
         
         if (mergeResult.hasChanges) {
           setItems(mergeResult.items);
+          itemsRef.current = mergeResult.items; // Update ref immediately to prevent stale comparisons
           console.log('🔄 Queue updated (manual refresh):', {
             added: mergeResult.changes.added.length,
             removed: mergeResult.changes.removed.length,
@@ -932,10 +934,14 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
                     }
                     
                     console.log('🔄 Realtime UPDATE: Changes detected for', fullItem.id);
-                    return prev.map(i => i.id === fullItem.id ? fullItem : i);
+                    const newItems = prev.map(i => i.id === fullItem.id ? fullItem : i);
+                    itemsRef.current = newItems; // Update ref immediately
+                    return newItems;
                   } else {
                     console.log('🆕 Realtime UPDATE: Adding new item', fullItem.id);
-                    return [fullItem, ...prev];
+                    const newItems = [fullItem, ...prev];
+                    itemsRef.current = newItems; // Update ref immediately
+                    return newItems;
                   }
                 });
               } catch (error) {