diff --git a/tools/ui/src/lib/hooks/use-models-selector.svelte.ts b/tools/ui/src/lib/hooks/use-models-selector.svelte.ts
index c18084aeff..dff078b64f 100644
--- a/tools/ui/src/lib/hooks/use-models-selector.svelte.ts
+++ b/tools/ui/src/lib/hooks/use-models-selector.svelte.ts
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ export function useModelsSelector(opts: UseModelsSelectorOptions): UseModelsSele
 				shouldCloseMenu = false;
 			}
 		} else {
-			await modelsStore.selectModelById(option.id);
+			await modelsStore.selectModelById(option.id, { recordRecent: true });
 		}
 
 		if (shouldCloseMenu) {
diff --git a/tools/ui/src/lib/stores/models/index.svelte.ts b/tools/ui/src/lib/stores/models/index.svelte.ts
index 2ba9643315..e7dee6e0d7 100644
--- a/tools/ui/src/lib/stores/models/index.svelte.ts
+++ b/tools/ui/src/lib/stores/models/index.svelte.ts
@@ -394,7 +394,11 @@ class ModelsStore implements ModelPropsHost, ModelStatusHost {
 		);
 	}
 
-	async selectModelById(modelId: string): Promise<void> {
+	/**
+	 * Select a model. `recordRecent` marks a pick the user made in the selector, so
+	 * automatic picks (startup default, conversation sync) stay out of the recency list.
+	 */
+	async selectModelById(modelId: string, options?: { recordRecent?: boolean }): Promise<void> {
 		if (!modelId || this.updating) return;
 
 		const backendId = backendIdFromModelId(modelId) ?? backendsStore.active.id;
@@ -410,7 +414,11 @@ class ModelsStore implements ModelPropsHost, ModelStatusHost {
 			await this.switchBackend();
 		}
 
-		if (this.selectedModelId === qualifiedId) return;
+		if (this.selectedModelId === qualifiedId) {
+			if (options?.recordRecent) this.recordRecentModel(qualifiedId);
+
+			return;
+		}
 
 		const option = this.activeModels.find((model) => model.id === rawId);
 
@@ -424,7 +432,8 @@ class ModelsStore implements ModelPropsHost, ModelStatusHost {
 			this.selectedModelName = option.model;
 			this.selectionFromStorage = false;
 			this.persistSelection();
-			this.recordRecentModel(qualifiedId);
+
+			if (options?.recordRecent) this.recordRecentModel(qualifiedId);
 		} finally {
 			this.updating = false;
 		}