diff --git a/net_alerter/net_alerter.py b/net_alerter/net_alerter.py
index cf9f458..b39710a 100644
--- a/net_alerter/net_alerter.py
+++ b/net_alerter/net_alerter.py
@@ -898,14 +898,11 @@ def _update_occupancy_state_unlocked() -> None:
     # Determine new occupancy state
     new_occupancy = "OCCUPIED" if active_enrolled_count > 0 else "VACANT"
 
-    # Fire alert on transitions (but not UNKNOWN → OCCUPIED on startup)
+    # Fire alert on all transitions including startup UNKNOWN → OCCUPIED
     if new_occupancy != location_occupancy:
-        if not (location_occupancy == "UNKNOWN" and new_occupancy == "OCCUPIED"):
-            msg = f"[NET] Location: {new_occupancy}"
-            logging.info(msg)
-            send_alert(msg)
-        else:
-            logging.debug(f"Suppressing startup occupancy alert: UNKNOWN → OCCUPIED")
+        msg = f"[NET] Location: {new_occupancy}"
+        logging.info(msg)
+        send_alert(msg)
 
         location_occupancy = new_occupancy
         logging.info(f"Location occupancy updated to {location_occupancy} ({active_enrolled_count} enrolled non-infra devices active)")
@@ -914,7 +911,7 @@ def _update_occupancy_state_unlocked() -> None:
 def update_occupancy_state() -> None:
     """
     Update location occupancy state based on presence of personal devices.
-    Fires Matrix alerts on VACANT/OCCUPIED transitions (not on UNKNOWN transitions).
+    Fires Matrix alerts on all VACANT/OCCUPIED transitions including startup.
     Thread-safe: acquires locks in order: known_lock, then occupancy_lock.
     """
     with known_lock: