diff --git a/src/agents/pi-embedded-helpers/bootstrap.ts b/src/agents/pi-embedded-helpers/bootstrap.ts
index 8a86206ce..9e589fc15 100644
--- a/src/agents/pi-embedded-helpers/bootstrap.ts
+++ b/src/agents/pi-embedded-helpers/bootstrap.ts
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ function clampToBudget(content: string, budget: number): string {
   if (budget <= 3) {
     return truncateUtf16Safe(content, budget);
   }
-  const safe = Math.max(1, budget - 1);
+  const safe = budget - 1;
   return `${truncateUtf16Safe(content, safe)}…`;
 }