diff --git a/gateway/platforms/telegram.py b/gateway/platforms/telegram.py
index 304c5625d..ad7c8f3d6 100644
--- a/gateway/platforms/telegram.py
+++ b/gateway/platforms/telegram.py
@@ -901,9 +901,8 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                     pass  # best-effort truncation
                 return SendResult(success=True, message_id=message_id)
             # Flood control / RetryAfter — short waits are retried inline,
-            # long waits (>5s) return a failure so the caller can decide
-            # whether to wait or degrade gracefully.  (grammY auto-retry
-            # pattern: maxDelaySeconds threshold.)
+            # long waits return a failure immediately so streaming can fall back
+            # to a normal final send instead of leaving a truncated partial.
             retry_after = getattr(e, "retry_after", None)
             if retry_after is not None or "retry after" in err_str:
                 wait = retry_after if retry_after else 1.0
@@ -912,12 +911,7 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                     self.name, wait,
                 )
                 if wait > 5.0:
-                    # Long wait — return failure immediately so callers
-                    # (progress edits, stream consumer) aren't blocked.
-                    return SendResult(
-                        success=False,
-                        error=f"flood_control:{wait}",
-                    )
+                    return SendResult(success=False, error=f"flood_control:{wait}")
                 await asyncio.sleep(wait)
                 try:
                     await self._bot.edit_message_text(
diff --git a/gateway/stream_consumer.py b/gateway/stream_consumer.py
index 2ceb0fb1d..4a3cf744a 100644
--- a/gateway/stream_consumer.py
+++ b/gateway/stream_consumer.py
@@ -174,12 +174,12 @@ class GatewayStreamConsumer:
                         self._already_sent = True
                         self._last_sent_text = text
                     else:
-                        # Edit not supported by this adapter — stop streaming,
-                        # let the normal send path handle the final response.
-                        # Without this guard, adapters like Signal/Email would
-                        # flood the chat with a new message every edit_interval.
+                        # If an edit fails mid-stream (especially Telegram flood control),
+                        # stop progressive edits and let the normal final send path deliver
+                        # the complete answer instead of leaving the user with a partial.
                         logger.debug("Edit failed, disabling streaming for this adapter")
                         self._edit_supported = False
+                        self._already_sent = False
                 else:
                     # Editing not supported — skip intermediate updates.
                     # The final response will be sent by the normal path.
diff --git a/tools/transcription_tools.py b/tools/transcription_tools.py
index 976a59d40..1a7acee9b 100644
--- a/tools/transcription_tools.py
+++ b/tools/transcription_tools.py
@@ -127,8 +127,11 @@ def is_stt_enabled(stt_config: Optional[dict] = None) -> bool:
 
 
 def _has_openai_audio_backend() -> bool:
-    """Return True when OpenAI audio can use direct credentials or the managed gateway."""
-    return bool(resolve_openai_audio_api_key() or resolve_managed_tool_gateway("openai-audio"))
+    """Return True when OpenAI audio can use config credentials, env credentials, or the managed gateway."""
+    stt_config = _load_stt_config()
+    openai_cfg = stt_config.get("openai", {})
+    cfg_api_key = openai_cfg.get("api_key", "")
+    return bool(cfg_api_key or resolve_openai_audio_api_key() or resolve_managed_tool_gateway("openai-audio"))
 
 
 def _find_binary(binary_name: str) -> Optional[str]:
@@ -577,13 +580,20 @@ def transcribe_audio(file_path: str, model: Optional[str] = None) -> Dict[str, A
 
 def _resolve_openai_audio_client_config() -> tuple[str, str]:
     """Return direct OpenAI audio config or a managed gateway fallback."""
+    stt_config = _load_stt_config()
+    openai_cfg = stt_config.get("openai", {})
+    cfg_api_key = openai_cfg.get("api_key", "")
+    cfg_base_url = openai_cfg.get("base_url", "")
+    if cfg_api_key:
+        return cfg_api_key, (cfg_base_url or OPENAI_BASE_URL)
+
     direct_api_key = resolve_openai_audio_api_key()
     if direct_api_key:
         return direct_api_key, OPENAI_BASE_URL
 
     managed_gateway = resolve_managed_tool_gateway("openai-audio")
     if managed_gateway is None:
-        message = "Neither VOICE_TOOLS_OPENAI_KEY nor OPENAI_API_KEY is set"
+        message = "Neither stt.openai.api_key in config nor VOICE_TOOLS_OPENAI_KEY/OPENAI_API_KEY is set"
         if managed_nous_tools_enabled():
             message += ", and the managed OpenAI audio gateway is unavailable"
         raise ValueError(message)