diff --git a/cc-ci-plan/launch.py b/cc-ci-plan/launch.py
index f3612d5..4e25078 100644
--- a/cc-ci-plan/launch.py
+++ b/cc-ci-plan/launch.py
@@ -588,7 +588,10 @@ def wake_orchestrator():
     if not session_alive(ORCH_SESSION):
         return False
     if _load_limit_state(ORCH_SESSION) is not None:
-        return False  # in a usage-limit window — defer the wake until the limit clears
+        # Deliberately wake anyway: the hourly prompt doubles as a fallback that keeps
+        # the orchestrator on track even if the limit-state machinery breaks. If the
+        # limit is genuinely still in force the wake is harmless (banner re-prints).
+        log(f"orchestrator ({ORCH_SESSION}) is in a limit window — sending hourly wake anyway (fallback)")
     if ACTIVE_RE.search(capture_pane(ORCH_SESSION, 25)):
         return False  # busy — don't interrupt; retry when idle
     try: