diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index e845c9c..96977c5 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 #   make clean      — Remove build artifacts
 
 PLUGIN_ID := com.forkless.mattermore
-PLUGIN_VERSION := 0.1.15
+PLUGIN_VERSION := 0.1.16
 DIST_DIR := dist
 SERVER_DIR := server
 BUNDLE_NAME := $(PLUGIN_ID)-$(PLUGIN_VERSION).tar.gz
diff --git a/plugin.json b/plugin.json
index e551622..6301779 100644
--- a/plugin.json
+++ b/plugin.json
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
     "id": "com.forkless.mattermore",
     "name": "Matty",
     "description": "AI chat agent powered by Ollama.",
-    "version": "0.1.15",
+    "version": "0.1.16",
     "min_server_version": "11.6.1",
     "server": {
         "executables": {
diff --git a/server/hooks.go b/server/hooks.go
index e8c3af1..a599722 100644
--- a/server/hooks.go
+++ b/server/hooks.go
@@ -200,6 +200,10 @@ func (p *Plugin) MessageHasBeenPosted(c *plugin.Context, post *model.Post) {
     if persona == "" {
         persona = resolvePersona(cfg.Persona)
     }
+    // If still empty and the config has a value, use it as-is (legacy fallback).
+    if persona == "" && cfg.Persona != "" {
+        persona = cfg.Persona
+    }
     systemPrompt := ""
     if persona != "" {
         systemPrompt = "You are " + persona + ". Respond in character. Only respond to the latest message — do not re-address earlier messages. Vary your openings and phrasing each time."
diff --git a/server/persona.go b/server/persona.go
index f8796a3..1bff41c 100644
--- a/server/persona.go
+++ b/server/persona.go
@@ -24,15 +24,11 @@ var personaLibrary = map[string]string{
 	"scammer":   "a tech support scammer from 2008. Alarmist, pushy, uses ALL CAPS occasionally.",
 }
 
-// resolvePersona takes a value from the dropdown (stable ID or legacy full text)
-// and returns the full persona description. Falls back to the default if unknown.
+// resolvePersona takes a persona ID and returns the full description.
+// Returns empty string if the ID is unknown.
 func resolvePersona(value string) string {
 	if p, ok := personaLibrary[value]; ok {
 		return p
 	}
-	// If it's already a full description (e.g. old saved config), pass through.
-	if value != "" {
-		return value
-	}
-	return personaLibrary["assistant"]
+	return ""
 }