diff --git a/cron/scheduler.py b/cron/scheduler.py
index 21ec8dbdec..3b38a20336 100644
--- a/cron/scheduler.py
+++ b/cron/scheduler.py
@@ -198,7 +198,9 @@ def _resolve_single_delivery_target(job: dict, deliver_value: str) -> Optional[d
             if resolved:
                 parsed_chat_id, parsed_thread_id, resolved_is_explicit = _parse_target_ref(platform_key, resolved)
                 if resolved_is_explicit:
-                    chat_id, thread_id = parsed_chat_id, parsed_thread_id
+                    chat_id = parsed_chat_id
+                    if parsed_thread_id is not None:
+                        thread_id = parsed_thread_id
                 else:
                     chat_id = resolved
         except Exception:
diff --git a/tests/cron/test_scheduler.py b/tests/cron/test_scheduler.py
index 25f707efd8..23565511cf 100644
--- a/tests/cron/test_scheduler.py
+++ b/tests/cron/test_scheduler.py
@@ -129,6 +129,22 @@ class TestResolveDeliveryTarget:
             "thread_id": "17",
         }
 
+    def test_explicit_telegram_topic_thread_survives_bare_directory_match(self):
+        """Exact channel-directory matches must not erase an explicit topic id."""
+        job = {
+            "deliver": "telegram:-1003724596514:17",
+        }
+        with patch(
+            "gateway.channel_directory.resolve_channel_name",
+            return_value="-1003724596514",
+        ):
+            result = _resolve_delivery_target(job)
+        assert result == {
+            "platform": "telegram",
+            "chat_id": "-1003724596514",
+            "thread_id": "17",
+        }
+
     def test_explicit_telegram_chat_id_without_thread_id(self):
         """deliver: 'telegram:chat_id' sets thread_id to None."""
         job = {