diff --git a/backend/services/backup_destination_service.py b/backend/services/backup_destination_service.py
index 0e163b9..c375594 100644
--- a/backend/services/backup_destination_service.py
+++ b/backend/services/backup_destination_service.py
@@ -288,10 +288,10 @@ def _nfs_run(volume: str, command: list[str]) -> str:
 
     from config import settings
     from docker_client import DockerError, get_client
-    from services.backup_service import _ensure_helper_image
+    from services.stack_assets_service import ensure_helper_image
 
     client = get_client()
-    _ensure_helper_image(client)
+    ensure_helper_image(client)
     try:
         out = client.containers.run(
             settings.BACKUP_HELPER_IMAGE,
@@ -314,10 +314,10 @@ def _nfs_helper(volume: str):
 
     from config import settings
     from docker_client import DockerError, get_client, safe_call
-    from services.backup_service import _ensure_helper_image
+    from services.stack_assets_service import ensure_helper_image
 
     client = get_client()
-    _ensure_helper_image(client)
+    ensure_helper_image(client)
     try:
         return safe_call(
             client.containers.create,
diff --git a/backend/services/stack_assets_service.py b/backend/services/stack_assets_service.py
index 2b1eff2..8362a31 100644
--- a/backend/services/stack_assets_service.py
+++ b/backend/services/stack_assets_service.py
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class AssetError(Exception):
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------------- #
 
 
-def _ensure_helper_image(client) -> None:
+def ensure_helper_image(client) -> None:
     image = settings.BACKUP_HELPER_IMAGE
     try:
         safe_call(client.images.get, image)
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ def inspect_paths(paths: list[str]) -> dict[str, dict]:
     if not unique:
         return {}
     client = get_client()
-    _ensure_helper_image(client)
+    ensure_helper_image(client)
     mounts = {p: {"bind": f"/m/{i}", "mode": "ro"} for i, p in enumerate(unique)}
     script_parts = []
     for i in range(len(unique)):
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ def inspect_paths(paths: list[str]) -> dict[str, dict]:
 def export_path(source: str, kind: str, dest_file: str) -> int:
     """Tar a host path (dir contents, or a single file) into ``dest_file``."""
     client = get_client()
-    _ensure_helper_image(client)
+    ensure_helper_image(client)
     if kind == "file":
         parent, base = _split(source)
         if not base:
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ def export_path(source: str, kind: str, dest_file: str) -> int:
 def import_path(source: str, kind: str, src_file: str) -> None:
     """Unpack an archive produced by :func:`export_path` back to its host path."""
     client = get_client()
-    _ensure_helper_image(client)
+    ensure_helper_image(client)
     if kind == "file":
         parent, _base = _split(source)
         container = _create_helper(client, {parent: {"bind": "/dst", "mode": "rw"}})
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ def import_path(source: str, kind: str, src_file: str) -> None:
 def export_volume(full_name: str, dest_file: str) -> int:
     """Stream a named volume's contents into ``dest_file`` (never into RAM)."""
     client = get_client()
-    _ensure_helper_image(client)
+    ensure_helper_image(client)
     container = _create_helper(client, {full_name: {"bind": "/v", "mode": "ro"}})
     written = 0
     try:
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ def export_volume(full_name: str, dest_file: str) -> int:
 def import_volume(full_name: str, labels: dict, src_file: str, wipe: bool = True) -> None:
     """Restore a volume from an archive, optionally clearing it first."""
     client = get_client()
-    _ensure_helper_image(client)
+    ensure_helper_image(client)
     existed = True
     try:
         safe_call(client.volumes.get, full_name)
diff --git a/backend/version.py b/backend/version.py
index e3c867e..0cfe496 100644
--- a/backend/version.py
+++ b/backend/version.py
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 """Single source of truth for the StackPilot release version."""
 
-APP_VERSION = "0.40.0"
+APP_VERSION = "0.40.1"
diff --git a/frontend/package.json b/frontend/package.json
index 1229127..00078ec 100644
--- a/frontend/package.json
+++ b/frontend/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "stackpilot-frontend",
   "private": true,
-  "version": "0.40.0",
+  "version": "0.40.1",
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "vite",