diff --git a/hosts/uConsole/configuration.nix b/hosts/uConsole/configuration.nix
index ebe124b..68791ca 100755
--- a/hosts/uConsole/configuration.nix
+++ b/hosts/uConsole/configuration.nix
@@ -185,6 +185,14 @@ in
 
   boot.blacklistedKernelModules = [ ];
 
+  # CRITICAL: Delay vc4 + panel_cwu50 loading to after RP1 PCIe init
+  # On CM5, RP1 southbridge takes ~12s to initialize. Loading display
+  # drivers in initrd (~3s) causes "Cannot find any crtc" because the
+  # DSI encoder isn't reachable yet. Rex loads them later via udev.
+  # Keep ocp8178_bl in initrd (backlight is independent of RP1).
+  boot.initrd.kernelModules = lib.mkForce [ "ocp8178_bl" ];
+  boot.kernelModules = lib.mkBefore [ "vc4" "panel_cwu50" ];
+
   # ============================================================
   # Extra udev rules for SDR and HAM radio devices
   # ============================================================