diff --git a/src/memory.test.ts b/src/memory.test.ts
index 7b1a736..f8d754b 100644
--- a/src/memory.test.ts
+++ b/src/memory.test.ts
@@ -36,12 +36,12 @@ pending preview:
   })
 })
 
-test("latestMemoryRecallQuery skips ambient discord batch without pending items", () => {
+test("latestMemoryRecallQuery skips ambient discord batch without items", () => {
   const batch = `[user/discord] [discord batch] 2026-05-01T03:10:50.162Z -> 2026-05-01T03:11:22.198Z
 new_messages=1 channels=1 pending_inbox=0 scope=configured+dm
 
 recent messages:
-- [channel/meowskullz's server/#ai-sister-yap] [2026-05-01 08:01:35.639Z] @rose: foxie emoji
+- (none)
 
 pending preview:
 - (none)`
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ pending preview:
   )
 })
 
-test("memoryQueryForUserMessage ignores ambient discord batch recent messages", () => {
+test("memoryQueryForUserMessage processes discord batch recent messages when pending preview is empty", () => {
   const batch = `[user/discord] [discord batch] 2026-05-01T03:10:50.162Z -> 2026-05-01T03:11:22.198Z
 new_messages=1 channels=1 pending_inbox=0 scope=configured+dm
 
@@ -69,9 +69,9 @@ pending preview:
 - (none)`
 
   assert.deepEqual(__memoryTest.memoryQueryForUserMessage(batch), {
-    sender: null,
-    source: null,
-    body: batch,
+    sender: "rose",
+    source: "channel/meowskullz's server/#ai-sister-yap",
+    body: "foxie emoji",
   })
 })
 
diff --git a/src/memory/discord-query.ts b/src/memory/discord-query.ts
index ed6eab4..a94a420 100644
--- a/src/memory/discord-query.ts
+++ b/src/memory/discord-query.ts
@@ -141,7 +141,11 @@ export function conciseDiscordBatchMemoryQuery(raw: string): MemoryQueryParts |
   if (!/\[discord batch\]/i.test(withoutWakeEnvelope)) return null
 
   const pending = extractBulletSection(withoutWakeEnvelope, "pending preview")
-  const selected = pending.filter((entry) => !/^\(none\)$/i.test(entry)).slice(-3)
+  let selected = pending.filter((entry) => !/^\(none\)$/i.test(entry)).slice(-3)
+  if (selected.length === 0) {
+    const recent = extractBulletSection(withoutWakeEnvelope, "recent messages")
+    selected = recent.filter((entry) => !/^\(none\)$/i.test(entry)).slice(-3)
+  }
   if (selected.length === 0) return null
 
   const senders: string[] = []