diff --git a/src/MenuManager.cpp b/src/MenuManager.cpp
index d9f24fa..8ac8376 100644
--- a/src/MenuManager.cpp
+++ b/src/MenuManager.cpp
@@ -408,6 +408,9 @@ namespace FRG {
 		const std::string& loc = snapshot->currentLocationId;
 		if (loc == "uni_exterior") return snapshot->isDarklands ? hudUniExtDarkRoot : hudUniExtRoot;
 		if (loc == "uni_interior") return snapshot->isDarklands ? hudUniIntDarkRoot : hudUniIntRoot;
+		// Other locations (e.g. campaigns that start directly in Darklands) have no
+		// dedicated HUD; reuse the Darklands one so the health bar is shown.
+		if (snapshot->isDarklands && !loc.empty()) return hudUniExtDarkRoot;
 		return hudDormRoot; // dorm, or a new game before the location is set
 	}