diff --git a/src/retriever.ts b/src/retriever.ts
index 769c248b..40652f68 100644
--- a/src/retriever.ts
+++ b/src/retriever.ts
@@ -561,6 +561,9 @@ export class MemoryRetriever {
   async retrieve(context: RetrievalContext): Promise<RetrievalResult[]> {
     const { query, limit, scopeFilter, category, source } = context;
     const safeLimit = clampInt(limit, 1, 20);
+    // Ensure store is fully initialized before routing decision (hybrid vs vector-only).
+    // Without this, hasFtsSupport may be false on first call if FTS index creation is still in flight.
+    await this.store.ensureInitialized();
     this.lastDiagnostics = null;
     const diagnostics: RetrievalDiagnostics = {
       source,
diff --git a/src/store.ts b/src/store.ts
index 6d14b28f..95e08d92 100644
--- a/src/store.ts
+++ b/src/store.ts
@@ -220,7 +220,8 @@ export class MemoryStore {
     return this.config.dbPath;
   }
 
-  private async ensureInitialized(): Promise<void> {
+  /** Ensure the store is fully initialized (FTS index created, table opened, etc.). Safe to call multiple times. */
+  public async ensureInitialized(): Promise<void> {
     if (this.table) {
       return;
     }