diff --git a/cmd/core-runtime/main.go b/cmd/core-runtime/main.go
index f83f552..f1e7e31 100644
--- a/cmd/core-runtime/main.go
+++ b/cmd/core-runtime/main.go
@@ -632,6 +632,13 @@ func main() {
 		cognitiveAvailable := true
 		semanticInterpretationRequested := shouldRequestSemanticInterpretation(semantic)
 		semanticReflexAudit := shouldAuditDeterministicReflex(semantic, string(utterance.ID), now)
+		// A selected specialized media route already has an executable semantic
+		// outcome. Do not block it on the general cognitive channel: image
+		// generation must reach its own adapter even when cognition is degraded.
+		if hasChatRoute(routePlan, chatRouteMedia) {
+			semanticInterpretationRequested = false
+			semanticReflexAudit = false
+		}
 		if identityReply != "" {
 			semanticReflexAudit = false
 		}