diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 42cf067..f2380cc 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.15.2
+1.15.3
diff --git a/VERSIONS.md b/VERSIONS.md
index 470fe10..b900ef4 100644
--- a/VERSIONS.md
+++ b/VERSIONS.md
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ Git tags: `vMAJOR.FEATURE.FIX` (e.g. `v1.8.0`). File `VERSION` omits the `v` pre
 
 | Tag | Date (UTC) | Notes |
 |-----|------------|--------|
+| **v1.15.3** | 2026-07-19 | **Bugfix:** console language auto-**fr** for `*lefrancpaysan*` domains again — env `TALER_MON_LANG=en` no longer locks English; only `--lang` / `TALER_MON_LANG_SET=1` is explicit. |
 | **v1.15.2** | 2026-07-19 | **Bugfix:** warn/error filter — drop blank log lines from HTML; compact console (no black voids above/mid/below); context skips SUMMARY chrome & pure box frames; tighter filter-gap. |
 | **v1.15.1** | 2026-07-19 | **Bugfix:** mon HTML — phase `section()` boxes no longer painted as SUMMARY (were blue/green `sum-header`); only real SUMMARY rows get solid severity backgrounds (OK/WARN/ERROR/INFO). |
 | **v1.15.0** | 2026-07-19 | **Feature:** CHF **fake-incoming amount ladder** in `devtesting` (`DEVTESTING_LADDER=1`, default **23** log-spaced rungs **CHF:0.01 → CHF:50000**); synthetic geniban debit funds each rung; baseline plumbing probe kept. |
diff --git a/i18n.sh b/i18n.sh
index 5ca1d18..1b0c90d 100644
--- a/i18n.sh
+++ b/i18n.sh
@@ -1,23 +1,29 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 # i18n.sh — language for taler-monitoring console + HTML chrome
 #
-# TALER_MON_LANG=en|fr   (default en)
-# Auto: domains *lefrancpaysan* → fr unless TALER_MON_LANG is set explicitly.
+# TALER_MON_LANG=en|fr
+# TALER_MON_LANG_SET=1  → language is explicit (--lang or host-agent wrapper); do not override.
+# Auto (SET≠1): domain *lefrancpaysan* / *francpaysan* → fr, else keep env or en.
+#
+# Important: a bare TALER_MON_LANG=en in ~/.config/taler-monitoring/env must NOT lock
+# language for FP domains (that used to force English on stage.monnaie…).
 
 : "${TALER_MON_LANG:=}"
 : "${TALER_MON_LANG_SET:=0}"
 
 i18n_init() {
-  if [ -n "${TALER_MON_LANG:-}" ]; then
-    TALER_MON_LANG_SET=1
-  fi
-  if [ "${TALER_MON_LANG_SET}" != "1" ]; then
+  # Only TALER_MON_LANG_SET=1 is "explicit". Do not promote non-empty TALER_MON_LANG
+  # to SET=1 — env files often ship LANG=en for the default GOA workstation.
+  if [ "${TALER_MON_LANG_SET:-0}" != "1" ]; then
     case "${TALER_DOMAIN:-}" in
       *lefrancpaysan*|*francpaysan*)
         TALER_MON_LANG=fr
         ;;
       *)
-        TALER_MON_LANG=en
+        # Non-FP: keep pre-set env value if any, else English
+        if [ -z "${TALER_MON_LANG:-}" ]; then
+          TALER_MON_LANG=en
+        fi
         ;;
     esac
   fi
@@ -26,6 +32,7 @@ i18n_init() {
     *) TALER_MON_LANG=en ;;
   esac
   export TALER_MON_LANG
+  export TALER_MON_LANG_SET
 }
 
 i18n_tag() {