diff --git a/hermes_cli/config.py b/hermes_cli/config.py
index fb8c0ca1f4..30427bd257 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/config.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/config.py
@@ -3169,7 +3169,7 @@ def save_config(config: Dict[str, Any]):
     if not sec or sec.get("redact_secrets") is None:
         parts.append(_SECURITY_COMMENT)
     fb = normalized.get("fallback_model", {})
-    if not fb or not (fb.get("provider") and fb.get("model")):
+    if not fb or not isinstance(fb, dict) or not (fb.get("provider") and fb.get("model")):
         parts.append(_FALLBACK_COMMENT)
 
     atomic_yaml_write(