diff --git a/hermes_cli/main.py b/hermes_cli/main.py
index 4c5f8f320..cf445d845 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/main.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/main.py
@@ -2125,7 +2125,7 @@ def _model_flow_api_key_provider(config, provider_id, current_model=""):
         api_key_for_probe = existing_key or (get_env_value(key_env) if key_env else "")
         live_models = fetch_api_models(api_key_for_probe, effective_base)
 
-    if live_models:
+    if live_models and len(live_models) >= len(curated):
         model_list = live_models
         print(f"  Found {len(model_list)} model(s) from {pconfig.name} API")
     else: