TorButton won't "blink" for update if using local Tor

When using a local Tor and setting TorLauncher not to spawn Tor (about:config, extensions.torlauncher.start_tor is false, as is extensions.torlauncher.prompt_at_startup), the TorButton turns into a big 'X' and doesn't tell me about updates. Even if I had no Tor at all, I still need security updates!

In any case, I still am using Tor. I am using a local system Tor, I do not want to connect twice and I like to manage my bridges and everything else in one place. Thanks!