diff --git a/services/web/frontend/js/features/project-list/components/table/cells/action-buttons/compile-and-download-project-pdf-button.tsx b/services/web/frontend/js/features/project-list/components/table/cells/action-buttons/compile-and-download-project-pdf-button.tsx
index 47ff920860..57e189908f 100644
--- a/services/web/frontend/js/features/project-list/components/table/cells/action-buttons/compile-and-download-project-pdf-button.tsx
+++ b/services/web/frontend/js/features/project-list/components/table/cells/action-buttons/compile-and-download-project-pdf-button.tsx
@@ -98,6 +98,10 @@ function CompileAndDownloadProjectPDFButton({
           const outputFile = data.outputFiles
             .filter((file: { path: string }) => file.path === 'output.pdf')
             .pop()
+          if (!outputFile) {
+            setShowErrorModal(true)
+            return
+          }
 
           const params = new URLSearchParams({
             compileGroup: data.compileGroup,
diff --git a/services/web/frontend/js/shared/context/layout-context.tsx b/services/web/frontend/js/shared/context/layout-context.tsx
index 7441e158ad..f81257a6c5 100644
--- a/services/web/frontend/js/shared/context/layout-context.tsx
+++ b/services/web/frontend/js/shared/context/layout-context.tsx
@@ -89,11 +89,11 @@ const MOBILE_MQ = '(max-width: 767px)'
 
 function getInitialLayout(): IdeLayout {
   const stored = localStorage.getItem('pdf.layout')
-  if (stored === 'vertical') return 'verticalSplit'
+  const isMobile = window.matchMedia(MOBILE_MQ).matches
   if (stored === 'flat') return 'flat'
   if (stored === 'split') return 'sideBySide'
-  // No stored preference — default to vertical split on mobile
-  return window.matchMedia(MOBILE_MQ).matches ? 'verticalSplit' : 'sideBySide'
+  if (stored === 'vertical') return isMobile ? 'verticalSplit' : 'sideBySide'
+  return isMobile ? 'verticalSplit' : 'sideBySide'
 }
 
 const reviewPanelStorageKey = `ui.reviewPanelOpen.${getMeta('ol-project_id')}`