diff --git a/runner/run_recipe_ci.py b/runner/run_recipe_ci.py
index 8ba7988..11fadd0 100644
--- a/runner/run_recipe_ci.py
+++ b/runner/run_recipe_ci.py
@@ -974,10 +974,19 @@ def main() -> int:
         # returns None, so this never blocks or fails the run (R7). None → results.json `screenshot`
         # stays null → the card shows the "no screenshot" placeholder (cosmetics never change verdict).
         if deploy_ok:
-            shot = screenshot_mod.capture(
-                domain, screenshot_mod.screenshot_path(run_artifact_dir), recipe_meta=meta
-            )
-            screenshot_rel = os.path.basename(shot) if shot else None
+            # capture() already swallows all errors → None; the extra try/except is defense-in-depth
+            # (U5 R7 hardening) so a screenshot can NEVER fail/crash the run even if that internal
+            # contract regresses or a recipe SCREENSHOT hook raises. Cosmetics never change the verdict.
+            try:
+                shot = screenshot_mod.capture(
+                    domain, screenshot_mod.screenshot_path(run_artifact_dir), recipe_meta=meta
+                )
+                screenshot_rel = os.path.basename(shot) if shot else None
+            except Exception as e:  # noqa: BLE001 — screenshot is cosmetic; never fail a run on it (R7)
+                print(
+                    f"!! screenshot capture raised (non-fatal, verdict unaffected): {_scrub(str(e))}",
+                    flush=True,
+                )
 
         # ---- INSTALL tier (always; additive generic + overlay, no op) ----
         if "install" in stages: