diff --git a/app/assets/services/ingest.py b/app/assets/services/ingest.py
index 6a9034845..888e0b28d 100644
--- a/app/assets/services/ingest.py
+++ b/app/assets/services/ingest.py
@@ -199,9 +199,10 @@ def ingest_existing_file(
     """Register an existing on-disk file as an asset stub.
 
     If a reference already exists for this path, updates mtime_ns and job_id.
-    When the file's mtime or size differ from what was recorded the file has
-    been rewritten, so its hash, size and enrichment state are discarded and
-    the enricher re-hashes it. An unchanged file keeps the hash it already has.
+    A file whose mtime and size still match what was recorded keeps its hash,
+    size and enrichment state. If the file was rewritten, or there is no
+    recorded hash left to keep, that state is discarded and the enricher
+    re-hashes it.
 
     For brand-new paths, inserts a stub record (hash=NULL) for immediate
     UX visibility.
@@ -219,10 +220,16 @@ def ingest_existing_file(
         existing_ref = get_reference_by_file_path(session, locator)
         if existing_ref is not None:
             asset = existing_ref.asset
-            unchanged = asset is not None and verify_file_unchanged(
-                mtime_db=existing_ref.mtime_ns,
-                size_db=asset.size_bytes,
-                stat_result=stat_result,
+            # mtime + size is the subsystem-wide staleness test (see
+            # verify_file_unchanged); strengthening it is not a local decision.
+            unchanged = (
+                asset is not None
+                and asset.hash is not None
+                and verify_file_unchanged(
+                    mtime_db=existing_ref.mtime_ns,
+                    size_db=asset.size_bytes,
+                    stat_result=stat_result,
+                )
             )
 
             now = get_utc_now()
diff --git a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_ingest.py b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_ingest.py
index 4ee45a2ed..2ae887cd6 100644
--- a/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_ingest.py
+++ b/tests-unit/assets_test/services/test_ingest.py
@@ -730,6 +730,31 @@ class TestIngestExistingFileContentState:
         assert ref.is_missing is False
         assert asset.hash == "blake3:seeded"
 
+    def test_restored_reference_is_re_enriched_when_its_asset_lost_its_hash(
+        self, mock_create_session, output_root: Path, session: Session
+    ):
+        content = b"image data"
+        first = _write_output(output_root, "ComfyUI_00001_.png", content)
+        second = _write_output(output_root, "ComfyUI_00002_.png", content)
+        asset, first_ref = _seed_hashed_reference(session, first)
+        _, second_ref = _seed_hashed_reference(session, second, asset=asset)
+        second_ref.deleted_at = get_utc_now()
+        session.commit()
+
+        _rewrite_with_newer_mtime(first, b"other data")
+        assert ingest_existing_file(str(first)) is True
+        session.expire_all()
+        assert asset.hash is None
+
+        assert ingest_existing_file(str(second)) is True
+
+        session.expire_all()
+        assert second_ref.deleted_at is None
+        assert (
+            second_ref.enrichment_level == ENRICHMENT_STUB
+        ), "a reference that lost its hash must be re-enriched, not left at HASHED"
+        assert second_ref.asset_id != asset.id
+
     def test_soft_deleted_reference_with_rewritten_file_is_restored_and_reset(
         self, mock_create_session, output_root: Path, session: Session
     ):