diff --git a/server/hooks.go b/server/hooks.go
index 3d2d820..aedd3f6 100644
--- a/server/hooks.go
+++ b/server/hooks.go
@@ -210,6 +210,10 @@ func (p *Plugin) MessageHasBeenPosted(c *plugin.Context, post *model.Post) {
         }
     } else {
         personaDesc = resolvePersona(persona)
+        // If KV override points to a removed persona, fall back to dropdown.
+        if personaDesc == "" && persona != cfg.Persona {
+            personaDesc = resolvePersona(cfg.Persona)
+        }
     }
     systemPrompt := ""
     if personaDesc != "" {