diff --git a/core/session_manager.py b/core/session_manager.py
index 491fbc07..3b82282e 100644
--- a/core/session_manager.py
+++ b/core/session_manager.py
@@ -382,7 +382,7 @@ class SessionManager:
         else:
             cached = self.sessions[session_id]
             # Lazy hydrate: metadata-only entries get their messages on first read.
-            if not cached.history and getattr(cached, "message_count", 0) > 0:
+            if not cached.history:
                 self._load_session_from_db(session_id)
 
         # Keep model/endpoint metadata fresh. Endpoint deletion can clear the