diff --git a/containers/backupchecks/src/backend/app/cove_importer.py b/containers/backupchecks/src/backend/app/cove_importer.py
index 2f3b06a..08a7095 100644
--- a/containers/backupchecks/src/backend/app/cove_importer.py
+++ b/containers/backupchecks/src/backend/app/cove_importer.py
@@ -407,12 +407,6 @@ def _process_account(account: dict) -> bool:
         run_ts = int(last_run_ts_raw or 0)
     except (TypeError, ValueError):
         run_ts = 0
-    external_id = f"cove-{account_id}-{run_ts}"
-
-    existing = JobRun.query.filter_by(external_id=external_id).first()
-    if existing:
-        db.session.commit()
-        return False
 
     # Fetch the linked job
     from .models import Job
@@ -421,6 +415,16 @@ def _process_account(account: dict) -> bool:
         db.session.commit()
         return False
 
+    external_id = f"cove-{account_id}-{run_ts}"
+
+    # Deduplicate per job + session, not globally.
+    # This avoids blocking a run on a newly linked/relinked job when the same
+    # Cove session was previously stored under another job.
+    existing = JobRun.query.filter_by(job_id=job.id, external_id=external_id).first()
+    if existing:
+        db.session.commit()
+        return False
+
     status = _map_status(last_status_code)
     run_remark = (
         f"Cove account: {account_name or account_id} | "