diff --git a/apps/ai-game-creator-shell/src-tauri/src/agent/direct_tool_bridge.rs b/apps/ai-game-creator-shell/src-tauri/src/agent/direct_tool_bridge.rs
index b14d8eb13..d69dc5e20 100644
--- a/apps/ai-game-creator-shell/src-tauri/src/agent/direct_tool_bridge.rs
+++ b/apps/ai-game-creator-shell/src-tauri/src/agent/direct_tool_bridge.rs
@@ -2671,8 +2671,7 @@ fn art_preparation_mode(
     arguments: &Value,
 ) -> Result<DirectTaonierArtPreparationMode, PrepareGameArtError> {
     match arguments.get("mode").filter(|value| !value.is_null()) {
-        None => Ok(DirectTaonierArtPreparationMode::from_tool_value(None)
-            .expect("default art preparation mode")),
+        None => Ok(DirectTaonierArtPreparationMode::ReuseOrCreate),
         Some(Value::String(value)) => DirectTaonierArtPreparationMode::from_tool_value(Some(value))
             .map_err(|_| PrepareGameArtError::ModeUnsupported { got: value.clone() }),
         Some(value) => Err(PrepareGameArtError::ModeNotText {