diff --git a/gateway/platforms/matrix.py b/gateway/platforms/matrix.py
index ac1362cda..768368354 100644
--- a/gateway/platforms/matrix.py
+++ b/gateway/platforms/matrix.py
@@ -1502,7 +1502,8 @@ class MatrixAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         reaction_key = (room_id, msg_id)
         if reaction_key in self._pending_reactions:
             eyes_event_id = self._pending_reactions.pop(reaction_key)
-            await self._redact_reaction(room_id, eyes_event_id)
+            if not await self._redact_reaction(room_id, eyes_event_id):
+                logger.debug("Matrix: failed to redact eyes reaction %s", eyes_event_id)
         await self._send_reaction(
             room_id,
             msg_id,
diff --git a/tests/gateway/test_matrix.py b/tests/gateway/test_matrix.py
index aa7309fe9..1a480570e 100644
--- a/tests/gateway/test_matrix.py
+++ b/tests/gateway/test_matrix.py
@@ -2001,6 +2001,28 @@ class TestMatrixReactions:
         self.adapter._redact_reaction.assert_called_once_with("!room:ex", "$eyes_reaction_123")
         self.adapter._send_reaction.assert_called_once_with("!room:ex", "$msg1", "✅")
 
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_on_processing_complete_sends_cross_on_failure(self):
+        from gateway.platforms.base import MessageEvent, MessageType, ProcessingOutcome
+
+        self.adapter._reactions_enabled = True
+        self.adapter._pending_reactions = {("!room:ex", "$msg1"): "$eyes_reaction_123"}
+        self.adapter._redact_reaction = AsyncMock(return_value=True)
+        self.adapter._send_reaction = AsyncMock(return_value="$cross_reaction_456")
+
+        source = MagicMock()
+        source.chat_id = "!room:ex"
+        event = MessageEvent(
+            text="hello",
+            message_type=MessageType.TEXT,
+            source=source,
+            raw_message={},
+            message_id="$msg1",
+        )
+        await self.adapter.on_processing_complete(event, ProcessingOutcome.FAILURE)
+        self.adapter._redact_reaction.assert_called_once_with("!room:ex", "$eyes_reaction_123")
+        self.adapter._send_reaction.assert_called_once_with("!room:ex", "$msg1", "❌")
+
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_on_processing_complete_cancelled_sends_no_terminal_reaction(self):
         from gateway.platforms.base import MessageEvent, MessageType, ProcessingOutcome
@@ -2020,6 +2042,29 @@ class TestMatrixReactions:
         await self.adapter.on_processing_complete(event, ProcessingOutcome.CANCELLED)
         self.adapter._send_reaction.assert_not_called()
 
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_on_processing_complete_no_pending_reaction(self):
+        """on_processing_complete should skip redaction if no eyes reaction was tracked."""
+        from gateway.platforms.base import MessageEvent, MessageType, ProcessingOutcome
+
+        self.adapter._reactions_enabled = True
+        self.adapter._pending_reactions = {}
+        self.adapter._redact_reaction = AsyncMock()
+        self.adapter._send_reaction = AsyncMock(return_value="$check_reaction_789")
+
+        source = MagicMock()
+        source.chat_id = "!room:ex"
+        event = MessageEvent(
+            text="hello",
+            message_type=MessageType.TEXT,
+            source=source,
+            raw_message={},
+            message_id="$msg1",
+        )
+        await self.adapter.on_processing_complete(event, ProcessingOutcome.SUCCESS)
+        self.adapter._redact_reaction.assert_not_called()
+        self.adapter._send_reaction.assert_called_once_with("!room:ex", "$msg1", "✅")
+
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_reactions_disabled(self):
         from gateway.platforms.base import MessageEvent, MessageType