diff --git a/TODO.md b/TODO.md
index 315bda0..4c97a7d 100644
--- a/TODO.md
+++ b/TODO.md
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 - [ ] Manage global packages once across clients. With `--client both`, MCPorter is installed and recorded twice; QMD's global package can be removed during a Codex-only deselection while Claude still uses its plugin. (`scripts/lib/managed-extensions.py:342`, `scripts/lib/managed-extensions.py:378`, `scripts/lib/managed-extensions.py:463`)
 - [x] Fix Bash `auto` semantic retrieval selection. Both `test_semantic_retrieval_device()` and its caller read `$?` after a completed `if`, losing the benchmark's exit code; an unsuitable device produces an empty choice instead of `false`. (`scripts/lib/semantic-retrieval.sh:13`, `scripts/lib/install-options.sh:52`)
 - [x] Make ordinary update dry-runs use the saved/current selection. Both menus bypass selection in dry-run and select every manifest entry, so the preview can diverge from the real update. (`scripts/lib/plugins.ps1:91`, `scripts/lib/plugins.sh:97`)
-- [ ] Reconcile resources whose ownership record remains but whose installation was removed manually. `ensure_cli()` and `ensure_mcporter()` return early from a ledger record without checking the actual CLI or server; normal sync cannot restore the missing resource. (`scripts/lib/managed-extensions.py:342`, `scripts/lib/managed-extensions.py:395`)
+- [x] Reconcile resources whose ownership record remains but whose installation was removed manually. `ensure_cli()` and `ensure_mcporter()` return early from a ledger record without checking the actual CLI or server; normal sync cannot restore the missing resource. (`scripts/lib/managed-extensions.py:342`, `scripts/lib/managed-extensions.py:395`)
 - [ ] Update owned MCPorter itself on `--update`. `ensure_cli()` returns whenever its ledger record exists, so a selected MCPorter package never receives the requested update. (`scripts/lib/managed-extensions.py:342`)
 - [x] Keep terminal newlines in Bash-managed files that need substitution. Command substitution strips trailing newlines before Bash hashes and writes the content, while PowerShell retains them; switching installers causes needless file changes and backups. (`scripts/lib/manifest.sh:70`, `scripts/lib/manifest.ps1:75`)
 - [x] Parse the Bash plugin inventory as JSON and stop when listing fails. `plugin_installed()` searches for one exact spacing pattern and suppresses CLI errors; a minified response or listing failure marks installed plugins unchecked, allowing an update to remove owned plugins. PowerShell parses JSON and fails on a CLI error. (`scripts/lib/plugins.sh:4`, `scripts/lib/plugins.ps1:36`)
diff --git a/scripts/lib/managed-extensions.py b/scripts/lib/managed-extensions.py
index 968fa55..5ebc818 100644
--- a/scripts/lib/managed-extensions.py
+++ b/scripts/lib/managed-extensions.py
@@ -402,6 +402,7 @@ class Manager:
             raise ValueError('Invalid MCPorter server definition.')
         record = next((r for r in self.state['resources'] if r['client'] == 'shared' and r['name'] == entry['name']), None)
         config_path = safe_path(self.home, '.mcporter/mcporter.json')
+        existing = None
         if config_path.exists():
             config = json.loads(config_path.read_text(encoding='utf-8'))
             if not isinstance(config, dict) or not isinstance(config.get('mcpServers', {}), dict):
@@ -415,7 +416,7 @@ class Manager:
                 return
             if existing is not None and record is not None and existing.get('baseUrl') != record['url']:
                 raise ValueError('Owned MCPorter server changed locally; refusing to overwrite it.')
-        if record is not None and not self.update:
+        if record is not None and existing is not None and not self.update:
             return
         self.command(['mcporter', '--config', str(self.home / '.mcporter/mcporter.json'), 'config', 'add', server, url])
         if record is None: