diff --git a/packages/state-machine/src/machine.ts b/packages/state-machine/src/machine.ts
index 873087b..377f58b 100644
--- a/packages/state-machine/src/machine.ts
+++ b/packages/state-machine/src/machine.ts
@@ -507,7 +507,11 @@ export function createATMMachine(
             },
           },
           confirmAbandon: {
-            // Warning: cash is in the machine, abandoning forfeits it
+            // Warning: cash is in the machine, abandoning forfeits it.
+            // Auto-clear after 60s so the machine self-recovers if customer walked away.
+            after: {
+              60000: '#atm.idle',
+            },
             on: {
               CANCEL: '#atm.idle', // User confirms they want to leave
               RETRY: 'generatingNdebit', // Go back and try again