diff --git a/client/src/components/video-modal.tsx b/client/src/components/video-modal.tsx
index ccd4460..8d8d121 100644
--- a/client/src/components/video-modal.tsx
+++ b/client/src/components/video-modal.tsx
@@ -91,11 +91,6 @@ export default function VideoModal({ video, isOpen, onClose, enableAds = true }:
       document.body.style.overflow = "";
     };
   }, [isOpen, onClose]);
-  
-  // Switch to VAST player for monetization
-  if (isOpen && video && useVASTPlayer && enableAds) {
-    return <VASTPlayer video={video} onClose={onClose} enableAds={enableAds} />;
-  }
 
   // Initialize HLS when video is available
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -276,6 +271,20 @@ export default function VideoModal({ video, isOpen, onClose, enableAds = true }:
     };
   }, [isOpen, video]);
 
+  // Cleanup controls timeout - moved before any returns
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => {
+      if (controlsTimeout) {
+        clearTimeout(controlsTimeout);
+      }
+    };
+  }, [controlsTimeout]);
+
+  // Switch to VAST player for monetization - after all hooks
+  if (isOpen && video && useVASTPlayer && enableAds) {
+    return <VASTPlayer video={video} onClose={onClose} enableAds={enableAds} />;
+  }
+
   // Function to capture video thumbnail
   const captureVideoThumbnail = () => {
     try {
@@ -351,14 +360,6 @@ export default function VideoModal({ video, isOpen, onClose, enableAds = true }:
     setControlsTimeout(timeout);
   };
 
-  useEffect(() => {
-    return () => {
-      if (controlsTimeout) {
-        clearTimeout(controlsTimeout);
-      }
-    };
-  }, [controlsTimeout]);
-
   const getShareUrl = () => {
     if (!video?.id) return window.location.origin;
     return `${window.location.origin}?video=${video.id}`;