diff --git a/frontend/src/components/QueryInput.tsx b/frontend/src/components/QueryInput.tsx
index b26ebf0..c8d770c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/QueryInput.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/QueryInput.tsx
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ export const QueryInput: React.FC<QueryInputProps> = ({ onSubmit, onHalfQuestion
     }
   }
 
-  const isDisabled = isLoading || displayValue.trim() === '' || (!hasUserInput && !!partialText)
+  const isDisabled = isLoading || displayValue.trim() === ''
 
   const textareaClassName = [
     'w-full rounded border border-gray-300 px-3 py-2 focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500 focus:border-transparent disabled:bg-gray-100 disabled:cursor-not-allowed',
diff --git a/frontend/src/test/test_phase2_QueryInput_integration.test.tsx b/frontend/src/test/test_phase2_QueryInput_integration.test.tsx
index 185f4c9..3f1f84c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/test/test_phase2_QueryInput_integration.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/test/test_phase2_QueryInput_integration.test.tsx
@@ -151,9 +151,9 @@ describe('QueryInput with partialText (Phase 2.4)', () => {
     const textarea = screen.getByPlaceholderText('Ask a question about your documents...')
     const button = screen.getByRole('button', { name: /submit/i })
 
-    // partialText is shown but user hasn't typed, button should be disabled
-    // (partial text is not a real user input — it's just display)
-    expect(button).toBeDisabled()
+    // partialText is shown and user hasn't typed — button should be enabled
+    // (users can now submit during interim ASR text)
+    expect(button).toBeEnabled()
   })
 
   it('test_user_can_submit_after_typing_over_partialText', () => {