diff --git a/gateway/run.py b/gateway/run.py
index e612d8a34d5..b16110e54d4 100644
--- a/gateway/run.py
+++ b/gateway/run.py
@@ -12130,11 +12130,15 @@ class GatewayRunner(GatewayAuthorizationMixin, GatewayKanbanWatchersMixin, Gatew
                         metadata=_non_conversational_metadata(metadata, platform=platform),
                     )
                 else:
-                    result = await adapter.send(
-                        str(home.chat_id),
-                        message,
-                        metadata=_non_conversational_metadata(platform=platform),
-                    )
+                    _startup_meta = _non_conversational_metadata(platform=platform)
+                    if _startup_meta:
+                        result = await adapter.send(
+                            str(home.chat_id),
+                            message,
+                            metadata=_startup_meta,
+                        )
+                    else:
+                        result = await adapter.send(str(home.chat_id), message)
                 if result is not None and getattr(result, "success", True) is False:
                     logger.warning(
                         "Home-channel startup notification failed for %s:%s: %s",