diff --git a/src/renderer.cpp b/src/renderer.cpp
index 7536e36..b07eb61 100644
--- a/src/renderer.cpp
+++ b/src/renderer.cpp
@@ -328,12 +328,14 @@ float get_initial_camera_distance(CelestialBody* body, SimulationState* sim, Ren
         }
     }
 
+    float body_radius = scale_radius(body->radius, render_state->distance_scale);
+
     if (child_count > 0) {
-        return (float)(total_distance / child_count);
+        float average_distance = (float)(total_distance / child_count);
+        float min_distance_from_radius = body_radius * INITIAL_DISTANCE_RADIUS_MULTIPLIER;
+        return (average_distance > min_distance_from_radius) ? average_distance : min_distance_from_radius;
     }
 
-    // No children - use body radius multiplier as fallback
-    float body_radius = scale_radius(body->radius, render_state->distance_scale);
     return body_radius * INITIAL_DISTANCE_RADIUS_MULTIPLIER;
 }