I would suggest it be actionable at all times once unlocked.
I thought it might be something to action after pulling out the meatstick, but once I did (for either meatstick option) everything else on the top bar became an X, leading me to think I no longer could.
Second bug report: I can't re-launch the game after ALT+F4ing it. I was going to try what you said to do, but it won't launch at all.