diff --git a/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/install.rs b/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/install.rs
index 7e750282..50cc7726 100644
--- a/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/install.rs
+++ b/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/install.rs
@@ -1799,40 +1799,64 @@ async fn check_bitcoin_implementation_conflict(package_id: &str) -> Result<()> {
         _ => return Ok(()),
     };
 
-    let output = tokio::process::Command::new("podman")
-        .args([
-            "ps",
-            "-a",
-            "--format",
-            "{{.Names}}",
-            "--filter",
-            &format!("name=^{}$", other),
-        ])
+    // Three cases for the OTHER variant:
+    //  - missing                → no conflict, continue
+    //  - running                → real conflict, refuse install
+    //  - any other state (created/exited/configured/...) → stuck from a
+    //    prior failed install. Auto-remove so reinstall is reachable
+    //    without a manual `podman rm`. This is what unblocks the .198
+    //    "bitcoin-core stuck in created, port 8332 held by bitcoin-knots"
+    //    deadlock that no UI path could exit.
+    let inspect = tokio::process::Command::new("podman")
+        .args(["inspect", other, "--format", "{{.State.Status}}"])
         .output()
         .await
-        .context("Failed to check existing Bitcoin node containers")?;
-
-    if String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stdout).trim().is_empty() {
+        .context("Failed to inspect conflicting Bitcoin container")?;
+    if !inspect.status.success() {
         return Ok(());
     }
+    let state = String::from_utf8_lossy(&inspect.stdout).trim().to_string();
 
-    let current = match other {
+    if state == "running" {
+        let current = pretty_bitcoin_name(other);
+        let requested = pretty_bitcoin_name(package_id);
+        return Err(anyhow::anyhow!(
+            "{} is currently running. Stop and uninstall {} before installing {}; both implementations use the same Bitcoin data directory and ports.",
+            current, current, requested
+        ));
+    }
+
+    info!(
+        "Removing stuck {} container (state={}) before installing {}",
+        other, state, package_id
+    );
+    install_log(&format!(
+        "INSTALL UNSTUCK: removing {} (state={}) before installing {}",
+        other, state, package_id
+    ))
+    .await;
+    let rm = tokio::process::Command::new("podman")
+        .args(["rm", "-f", other])
+        .output()
+        .await
+        .context("Failed to remove stuck Bitcoin container")?;
+    if !rm.status.success() {
+        let stderr = String::from_utf8_lossy(&rm.stderr);
+        return Err(anyhow::anyhow!(
+            "Failed to remove stuck {} container: {}",
+            other,
+            stderr.trim()
+        ));
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn pretty_bitcoin_name(id: &str) -> &'static str {
+    match id {
         "bitcoin-core" => "Bitcoin Core",
         "bitcoin-knots" => "Bitcoin Knots",
         _ => "another Bitcoin node",
-    };
-    let requested = match package_id {
-        "bitcoin-core" => "Bitcoin Core",
-        "bitcoin-knots" => "Bitcoin Knots",
-        _ => "the requested Bitcoin node",
-    };
-
-    Err(anyhow::anyhow!(
-        "{} is already installed. Stop and uninstall {} before installing {}; both implementations use the same Bitcoin data directory and ports.",
-        current,
-        current,
-        requested
-    ))
+    }
 }
 
 fn orchestrator_install_app_id(package_id: &str) -> &str {