diff --git a/lua/config/session.lua b/lua/config/session.lua
index 0358a84..9db2dd0 100644
--- a/lua/config/session.lua
+++ b/lua/config/session.lua
@@ -75,9 +75,13 @@ end
 
 --- VimEnter entry point: restore this worktree/branch session, or fall back to
 --- the file picker when none has been saved yet.
+---
+--- Exception: when nvim was started with file arguments (`nvim foo.lua`, a
+--- directory, or `-`) the requested buffer is what the user asked for, so
+--- neither the session nor the picker may take the screen.
 function M.restore()
-  local name = M.name()
-  if M.exists(name) then
+  if vim.fn.argc(-1) > 0 then return end
+  if M.exists(M.name()) then
     M.load { silence_errors = true }
   else
     -- defer so the picker opens after startup finished drawing the UI
diff --git a/lua/plugins/astrocore.lua b/lua/plugins/astrocore.lua
index 7f4b4c8..9580009 100644
--- a/lua/plugins/astrocore.lua
+++ b/lua/plugins/astrocore.lua
@@ -169,10 +169,8 @@ return {
           event = "VimEnter",
           desc = "Restore worktree/branch session, else open the git files picker",
           nested = true, -- trigger other autocommands as buffers open
-          callback = function()
-            -- only when nvim was started without file arguments
-            if vim.fn.argc(-1) == 0 then require("config.session").restore() end
-          end,
+          -- no-op when nvim was started with file arguments, see config.session
+          callback = function() require("config.session").restore() end,
         },
       },
     },