diff --git a/automation/patcher.py b/automation/patcher.py
index 08b4e79..50ec325 100644
--- a/automation/patcher.py
+++ b/automation/patcher.py
@@ -506,10 +506,22 @@ def sanitize_unified_patch(patch: str) -> str:
     # Look for the 'diff --git' header
     diff_start = text.find("diff --git")
     if diff_start == -1:
-        # No diff header means AI chose not to generate a patch
-        # This is normal for gated outputs or when AI determines no changes needed
-        return ""
-    return text[diff_start:] + "\n"
+        # Some providers omit diff header; synthesize one if we have +++ line.
+        plus_line = next((line for line in cleaned if line.startswith("+++ ")), None)
+        minus_line = next((line for line in cleaned if line.startswith("--- ")), None)
+        if plus_line:
+            plus_path = plus_line[4:].strip()
+            minus_path = minus_line[4:].strip() if minus_line else plus_path
+            if minus_path == "/dev/null":
+                minus_path = plus_path
+            text = f"diff --git {minus_path} {plus_path}\n{text}"
+        else:
+            # No diff header means AI chose not to generate a patch
+            # This is normal for gated outputs or when AI determines no changes needed
+            return ""
+    else:
+        text = text[diff_start:]
+    return text + "\n"
 
 
 def rewrite_patch_for_p0(patch: str) -> str: