diff --git a/main/paper.c b/main/paper.c
index e2c6c3f..8ab94f3 100644
--- a/main/paper.c
+++ b/main/paper.c
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ EpdiyHighlevelState hl;
 uint8_t* fb;
 
 static int init (lua_State *L) {
+    // prevent repeated initialization
+    if (fb != NULL) return 0;
+
     epd_init(&epd_board_lilygo_t5_47, &ED047TC1, EPD_LUT_64K);
     // epd_set_vcom(1560);
     hl = epd_hl_init(WAVEFORM);