diff --git a/packages/mosaic/framework/tools/git/detect-platform.sh b/packages/mosaic/framework/tools/git/detect-platform.sh
index e9e1901..626e1a0 100755
--- a/packages/mosaic/framework/tools/git/detect-platform.sh
+++ b/packages/mosaic/framework/tools/git/detect-platform.sh
@@ -88,9 +88,13 @@ get_gitea_service_for_host() {
     local host="$1"
     local cred_file="${MOSAIC_CREDENTIALS_FILE:-}"
     if [[ -z "$cred_file" ]]; then
-        # Same resolution chain as _lib/credentials.sh: profile HOME, then host-level.
+        # Same resolution chain as _lib/credentials.sh: profile HOME, then
+        # host-level /etc only if it exists; neither existing keeps the
+        # $HOME default (matches the lib's final := fallback).
         cred_file="$HOME/.config/mosaic/credentials.json"
-        [[ -f "$cred_file" ]] || cred_file="/etc/mosaic/credentials.json"
+        if [[ ! -f "$cred_file" && -f /etc/mosaic/credentials.json ]]; then
+            cred_file="/etc/mosaic/credentials.json"
+        fi
     fi
 
     case "$host" in