diff --git a/shelfmark/core/auto_download.py b/shelfmark/core/auto_download.py
index 73cf8ee3..1f7f920e 100644
--- a/shelfmark/core/auto_download.py
+++ b/shelfmark/core/auto_download.py
@@ -1397,15 +1397,12 @@ class OwnerPolicy:
         ]
 
     def may_fulfil(self, row: dict[str, Any]) -> bool:
-        """True when auto-download could fulfil ``row`` from at least one configured source."""
-        if self._bypass:
-            return True
-        user_id = coerce_int(row.get("user_id"), 0)
-        owner = self._owner(user_id) if user_id > 0 else None
-        if owner is None:
-            return False
-        if owner[0]:
-            return True
+        """True when auto-download could fulfil ``row`` from at least one configured source.
+
+        An exempt owner (an admin, a user with requests off, or any owner on an install
+        without login) may use every configured source, but still needs one: with none
+        usable for the content type, nothing would ever search the request.
+        """
         book_data = row.get("book_data")
         content_type = normalize_content_type(
             row.get("content_type")
diff --git a/tests/core/test_auto_download.py b/tests/core/test_auto_download.py
index 73083e09..0a268346 100644
--- a/tests/core/test_auto_download.py
+++ b/tests/core/test_auto_download.py
@@ -2606,6 +2606,13 @@ class TestRetryAfterCooldown:
                 )
         return row
 
+    @pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+    def _a_source_is_configured(self, monkeypatch):
+        """A reopen needs a source to search, so every case here has one unless it removes it."""
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            auto_download, "_configured_source_priority", lambda _ct: ["audiobookbay"]
+        )
+
     def _reopen(self, user_db, **kwargs):
         kwargs.setdefault("cooldown_days", 7)
         kwargs.setdefault("db_path", user_db._db_path)
@@ -2615,6 +2622,32 @@ class TestRetryAfterCooldown:
     def _user(user_db):
         return user_db.create_user(username="reader", role="user")
 
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
+        ("role", "auth_mode"),
+        [("admin", "builtin"), ("user", "none")],
+        ids=["admin-owned", "no-login"],
+    )
+    def test_a_request_with_no_usable_source_is_left_as_it_is(
+        self, user_db, monkeypatch, role, auth_mode
+    ):
+        """An exempt owner still needs a source, or the reopened request would sit unsearched."""
+        monkeypatch.setattr(auto_download, "_configured_source_priority", lambda _ct: [])
+        owner = user_db.create_user(username="owner", role=role)
+        row = self._request(user_db, owner["id"], provider_id="1", history="error")
+        policy = auto_download.OwnerPolicy(user_db, auth_mode=auth_mode)
+
+        assert self._reopen(user_db, owner_policy=policy) == 0
+
+        stored = user_db.get_request(row["id"])
+        assert stored["status"] == "fulfilled"
+        assert stored["delivery_state"] == "error"
+
+    def test_an_admin_owned_request_with_a_source_is_still_reopened(self, user_db):
+        admin = user_db.create_user(username="ops", role="admin")
+        self._request(user_db, admin["id"], provider_id="1", history="active")
+
+        assert self._reopen(user_db) == 1
+
     def test_an_interrupted_download_is_reopened_and_may_use_the_same_release(self, user_db):
         row = self._request(user_db, self._user(user_db)["id"], provider_id="1", history="active")
 
@@ -3627,7 +3660,11 @@ class TestSettleDeliveryStatesFromHistory:
         )
         assert self._state(user_db, rid) == "queued"
 
-    def test_the_stale_sweep_then_reopens_a_stalled_download(self, user_db):
+    def test_the_stale_sweep_then_reopens_a_stalled_download(self, user_db, monkeypatch):
+        """Once settled, a stalled download is reopened when a source can search it again."""
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            auto_download, "_configured_source_priority", lambda _ct: ["audiobookbay"]
+        )
         rid = self._fulfilled(
             user_db, state="downloading", delivery_updated_at="2026-10-16T20:56:38+00:00"
         )