diff --git a/services/hermes/plugins/auto-router/__init__.py b/services/hermes/plugins/auto-router/__init__.py
index 32bb17fd2..24562c7a4 100644
--- a/services/hermes/plugins/auto-router/__init__.py
+++ b/services/hermes/plugins/auto-router/__init__.py
@@ -854,9 +854,16 @@ def register(ctx: Any) -> None:
     ctx.register_hook(
         "pre_internal_route", lambda **kwargs: _pre_internal_route(ctx, **kwargs)
     )
-    ctx.register_hook(
-        "pre_subagent_route", lambda **kwargs: _pre_subagent_route(ctx, **kwargs)
-    )
+    # ConfigMaps can reconcile before the matching immutable image digest. The
+    # older image does not know this hook yet, so retain parent/internal routing
+    # during that short rollout window and enable child routing after image
+    # automation advances the pod.
+    try:
+        ctx.register_hook(
+            "pre_subagent_route", lambda **kwargs: _pre_subagent_route(ctx, **kwargs)
+        )
+    except ValueError:
+        pass
     ctx.register_hook("post_llm_call", lambda **kwargs: _post_turn_route(ctx, **kwargs))
     ctx.register_command(
         "route",
diff --git a/services/hermes/plugins/auto-router/plugin.yaml b/services/hermes/plugins/auto-router/plugin.yaml
index 7b0fd2d92..9c961998e 100644
--- a/services/hermes/plugins/auto-router/plugin.yaml
+++ b/services/hermes/plugins/auto-router/plugin.yaml
@@ -4,4 +4,3 @@ description: Jetson-assisted provider, model, and reasoning-effort routing for A
 provides_hooks:
   - pre_turn_route
   - pre_internal_route
-  - pre_subagent_route