diff --git a/core/metadata_model_utils.py b/core/metadata_model_utils.py
index 0758726..eb7bd1c 100644
--- a/core/metadata_model_utils.py
+++ b/core/metadata_model_utils.py
@@ -24,13 +24,7 @@ def model_identity_key(model: Dict[str, Any]) -> str:
     model_path = str(model.get("path") or "").strip()
     if not model_path:
         return ""
-    try:
-        return get_path_identity(model_path)
-    except (OSError, ValueError):
-        try:
-            return os.path.normcase(os.path.abspath(model_path))
-        except (OSError, ValueError):
-            return os.path.normcase(model_path)
+    return get_path_identity(model_path)
 
 
 def dedupe_models(models: List[Dict[str, Any]]) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
diff --git a/core/scanner.py b/core/scanner.py
index 47f9cf3..75bb2ab 100644
--- a/core/scanner.py
+++ b/core/scanner.py
@@ -41,11 +41,7 @@ def _model_identity(model: Dict[str, str]) -> str:
     path = model.get("path", "")
     if not path:
         return ""
-
-    try:
-        return _path_identity(path)
-    except (OSError, ValueError):
-        return os.path.normcase(os.path.abspath(path))
+    return _path_identity(path)
 
 
 def get_model_directories() -> Dict[str, Tuple[List[str], set]]:
diff --git a/tests/test_metadata_model_helpers.py b/tests/test_metadata_model_helpers.py
index 9589167..0c218ce 100644
--- a/tests/test_metadata_model_helpers.py
+++ b/tests/test_metadata_model_helpers.py
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 import os
 import tempfile
 import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch
 
 from core.metadata_model_utils import dedupe_models, is_model_file_path, model_identity_key
+from core.scanner import _model_identity
 
 
 class MetadataModelHelperTests(unittest.TestCase):
@@ -45,6 +47,14 @@ class MetadataModelHelperTests(unittest.TestCase):
             self.assertEqual("", model_identity_key(empty))
             self.assertEqual([first], dedupe_models(models))
 
+    def test_scanner_and_metadata_identity_share_path_fallback(self):
+        model_path = os.path.join("models", "model.safetensors")
+        expected = os.path.normcase(os.path.abspath(model_path))
+
+        with patch("core.path_utils.os.path.realpath", side_effect=OSError):
+            self.assertEqual(expected, _model_identity({"path": model_path}))
+            self.assertEqual(expected, model_identity_key({"path": model_path}))
+
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     unittest.main()