diff --git a/src/components/moderation/LockStatusDisplay.tsx b/src/components/moderation/LockStatusDisplay.tsx
index 58ea1791..e3dd397f 100644
--- a/src/components/moderation/LockStatusDisplay.tsx
+++ b/src/components/moderation/LockStatusDisplay.tsx
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ export const LockStatusDisplay = ({
       {/* Release Lock Button */}
       <Button
         size="sm"
-        variant="ghost"
+        variant="outline"
         onClick={() => onReleaseLock(currentLock.submissionId)}
         disabled={isLoading}
         className="w-full"
diff --git a/src/hooks/useModerationQueue.ts b/src/hooks/useModerationQueue.ts
index e22792aa..b8276127 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useModerationQueue.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/useModerationQueue.ts
@@ -241,31 +241,36 @@ export const useModerationQueue = (config?: UseModerationQueueConfig) => {
 
       if (error) throw error;
 
-      if (data) {
-        setCurrentLock((prev) =>
-          prev?.submissionId === submissionId ? null : prev
-        );
+      // Always clear local state and refresh stats if no error
+      setCurrentLock((prev) =>
+        prev?.submissionId === submissionId ? null : prev
+      );
 
-        if (lockTimerRef.current) {
-          clearInterval(lockTimerRef.current);
-        }
+      if (lockTimerRef.current) {
+        clearInterval(lockTimerRef.current);
+      }
 
-        fetchStats();
-        
+      fetchStats();
+      
+      // Show appropriate toast based on result
+      if (data === true) {
         toast({
           title: 'Lock Released',
           description: 'You can now claim another submission',
         });
-        
-        // Trigger refresh callback
-        if (onLockStateChange) {
-          onLockStateChange();
-        }
-        
-        return true;
+      } else {
+        toast({
+          title: 'Lock Already Released',
+          description: 'This submission was already unlocked',
+        });
       }
-
-      return false;
+      
+      // Trigger refresh callback
+      if (onLockStateChange) {
+        onLockStateChange();
+      }
+      
+      return data;
     } catch (error: any) {
       console.error('Error releasing lock:', error);
       toast({