diff --git a/src/settings.c b/src/settings.c
index 50877e5..13e8627 100644
--- a/src/settings.c
+++ b/src/settings.c
@@ -20,7 +20,11 @@ static persist s_settings = {
   .week_format = 0, // ISO 8601
   .vibe_pat_disconnect = 2, // double vibe
   .vibe_pat_connect = 0, // no vibe
-  .strftime_format = "%Y-%m-%d",
+  // MUST stay a null pointer (0). This packed field sits at an unaligned offset,
+  // so a string literal here emits a misaligned R_ARM_ABS32 relocation that the
+  // app loader rejects ("Invalid app relocation target" -> app never launches).
+  // The custom date format lives in adv_settings.custom_date_fmt; unused in C.
+  .strftime_format = 0,
   .track_battery = 0,
   .theme = 1,       // Functional
   .theme_mode = 1,  // Dark (matches the pre-theme look)