diff --git a/doc/CHANGES.md b/doc/CHANGES.md
index aa2258e28..57cc265ae 100644
--- a/doc/CHANGES.md
+++ b/doc/CHANGES.md
@@ -126,6 +126,10 @@ Change log
 
 <!-- END doctoc generated TOC please keep comment here to allow auto update -->
 
+## 12.1.1-dev (TBD)
+* fix [#3043](https://github.com/gridstack/gridstack.js/issues/3043) fix `opts.animate` again
+
+
 ## 12.1.1 (2024-04-28)
 * fix [#3038](https://github.com/gridstack/gridstack.js/pull/3038) `updateOptions()` fix opts.minRow being undefined
 
diff --git a/src/gridstack.ts b/src/gridstack.ts
index 53b1fddca..2b4007d68 100644
--- a/src/gridstack.ts
+++ b/src/gridstack.ts
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ import {
 import { DDGridStack } from './dd-gridstack';
 import { isTouch } from './dd-touch';
 import { DDManager } from './dd-manager';
-import { DDElementHost } from './dd-element';/** global instance */
+import { DDElementHost } from './dd-element'; /** global instance */
 const dd = new DDGridStack;
 
 // export all dependent file as well to make it easier for users to just import the main file
@@ -704,7 +704,8 @@ export class GridStack {
 
     // if we are loading from empty temporarily remove animation
     const blank = !this.engine.nodes.length;
-    if (blank) this.setAnimation(false);
+    const noAnim = blank && this.opts.animate;
+    if (noAnim) this.setAnimation(false);
 
     // see if any items are missing from new layout and need to be removed first
     if (!blank && addRemove) {
@@ -769,8 +770,7 @@ export class GridStack {
     delete this._ignoreLayoutsNodeChange;
     delete this.engine.skipCacheUpdate;
     prevCB ? GridStack.addRemoveCB = prevCB : delete GridStack.addRemoveCB;
-    // delay adding animation back
-    if (blank && this.opts?.animate) this.setAnimation(this.opts.animate, true);
+    if (noAnim) this.setAnimation(true, true); // delay adding animation back
     return this;
   }