diff --git a/services/recommendation/main.py b/services/recommendation/main.py
index 74c36c0..fb0d6c2 100644
--- a/services/recommendation/main.py
+++ b/services/recommendation/main.py
@@ -90,6 +90,9 @@ async def main() -> None:
                         if ollama_config is None or new_config.model != ollama_config.model:
                             logger.info("Thesis rewriter config updated: model=%s", resolved.model_name)
                         ollama_config = new_config
+                    elif ollama_config is not None:
+                        logger.info("Thesis rewriter disabled — skipping LLM thesis rewrite")
+                        ollama_config = None
                 except Exception:
                     logger.warning("Failed to refresh thesis-rewriter config", exc_info=True)