diff --git a/tests/test_image_linking.py b/tests/test_image_linking.py
index c7535fd..4f6714f 100644
--- a/tests/test_image_linking.py
+++ b/tests/test_image_linking.py
@@ -121,7 +121,9 @@ class TestMetadataLinking(LinkingTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(
             self.handler._find_prompt_from_metadata(metadata), ("unknown", None)
         )
-        self.assertNotEqual(self._process(metadata), negative)
+        latest = self._save("most recent prompt")  # recency fallback picks this
+        self.assertEqual(self._process(metadata), latest)
+        self.assertNotEqual(latest, negative)
 
     def test_workflow_fallback_still_used_without_an_api_graph(self):
         positive = self._save("from workflow only")
@@ -221,6 +223,15 @@ class TestForeignWorkflows(LinkingTestCase):
             ("unknown", None),
         )
 
+    def test_unknown_image_without_any_context_falls_back_to_the_latest_prompt(self):
+        self._save("older")
+        latest = self._save("latest")
+        self.assertEqual(self._process(None), latest)
+
+    def test_recent_prompt_fallback_handles_an_empty_database(self):
+        self.assertIsNone(self.handler._get_fallback_prompt())
+        self.assertIsNone(self._process(None))
+
     def test_metadata_lookup_errors_are_unknown(self):
         self._save("a cat")
         with mock.patch.object(
diff --git a/utils/image_monitor.py b/utils/image_monitor.py
index 9c8563b..51885ed 100644
--- a/utils/image_monitor.py
+++ b/utils/image_monitor.py
@@ -463,7 +463,11 @@ class ImageGenerationHandler(FileSystemEventHandler):
             or None if no recent prompt is available
         """
         try:
-            recent_prompts = self.db_manager.get_recent_prompts(limit=1)
+            recent = self.db_manager.get_recent_prompts(limit=1)
+            # Paginated dict ({"prompts": [...]}) or a plain list
+            recent_prompts = (
+                recent.get("prompts") if isinstance(recent, dict) else recent
+            )
             if recent_prompts:
                 prompt = recent_prompts[0]
                 return {