diff --git a/esphome/esp-downstairskitchleds.yaml b/esphome/esp-downstairskitchleds.yaml
index a37a749..a688cca 100644
--- a/esphome/esp-downstairskitchleds.yaml
+++ b/esphome/esp-downstairskitchleds.yaml
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 # https://home.fox.co.nz/gitea/zorruno/zorruno-homeassistant/src/branch/master/esphome/esp-downstairskitchleds.yaml
 #:########################################################################################:#
 # VERSIONS:
+# v2.4 2026-07-26 Republish retained MQTT status whenever the broker reconnects
 # v2.3 2026-07-25 Standardized MQTT payloads: "ON"/"OFF" → "On"/"Off"
 # v2.2 2026-07-20 Simplified local MQTT command and status topics to the device root
 # v2.1 2026-02-25 Updated yaml to zorruno layout V1.1
@@ -96,7 +97,7 @@ substitutions:
 
   # Project Naming
   project_name: "Sinilink.XY-WFMS" # Project details. Manufacturer before the dot, device after the dot.
-  project_version: "v2.3" # Project version denotes release of the YAML file, allowing checking of deployed vs latest version
+  project_version: "v2.4" # Project version denotes release of the YAML file, allowing checking of deployed vs latest version
 
   # Passwords & Secrets (Unfortunately, you can't use substitutions inside secret names)
   api_key: !secret esp-api_key
@@ -356,6 +357,16 @@ status_led:
 # MQTT: Device-specific command triggers
 #:########################################################################################:#
 mqtt:
+  on_connect:
+    then:
+      - mqtt.publish:
+          topic: "${mqtt_local_status_topic}"
+          payload: !lambda |-
+            return id(mosfet_leds).current_values.is_on()
+              ? "${mqtt_local_device_command_ON}"
+              : "${mqtt_local_device_command_OFF}";
+          retain: true
+
   on_message:
     # Light control to ramp up
     - topic: "${mqtt_local_command_topic}"