diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 6980a37..a6502b4 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,6 +9,13 @@ Format follows [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/).
 
 ---
 
+## [1.4.1] - 2026-07-14
+
+### Fixed
+- **App version fallback** — backend `/api/check-update` now reads the running version from `package.json` when the `APP_VERSION` env var is not set (manual installs and dev environments no longer show a false "update available" prompt)
+
+---
+
 ## [1.4.0] - 2026-07-13
 
 Cyberpunk RED character sheets: the full Phase 3-5 sheet system, making CP:R the first feature-complete game system.
diff --git a/backend/routes/admin.js b/backend/routes/admin.js
index cb56c63..4c4fa72 100644
--- a/backend/routes/admin.js
+++ b/backend/routes/admin.js
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ module.exports = (db, io, { emitUpdate, recordAction }) => {
     if (req.user.isTemporary) return res.status(403).json({ error: 'Primary admin only' });
 
     const https = require('https');
-    const currentVersion = process.env.APP_VERSION || '1.1.8';
+    const currentVersion = process.env.APP_VERSION || require('../../package.json').version;
 
     const options = {
       hostname: 'hub.docker.com',
diff --git a/frontend/package.json b/frontend/package.json
index d426403..8d58920 100644
--- a/frontend/package.json
+++ b/frontend/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "frontend",
   "private": true,
-  "version": "1.4.0",
+  "version": "1.4.1",
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "vite --host",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 9f4cd5b..430a6d0 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "mapsystem",
-  "version": "1.4.0",
+  "version": "1.4.1",
   "description": "",
   "main": "index.js",
   "scripts": {