diff --git a/tools/ui/src/lib/hooks/use-models-selector.svelte.ts b/tools/ui/src/lib/hooks/use-models-selector.svelte.ts
index 21401a52e8..1a46115e52 100644
--- a/tools/ui/src/lib/hooks/use-models-selector.svelte.ts
+++ b/tools/ui/src/lib/hooks/use-models-selector.svelte.ts
@@ -129,7 +129,11 @@ export function useModelsSelector(opts: UseModelsSelectorOptions): UseModelsSele
 		backendsStore.setActive(backendId);
 		searchTerm = '';
 
-		await modelsStore.switchBackend();
+		try {
+			await modelsStore.switchBackend();
+		} catch (error) {
+			console.error('Failed to switch backend:', error);
+		}
 	}
 
 	async function handleSelect(modelId: string) {
diff --git a/tools/ui/src/lib/stores/models/index.svelte.ts b/tools/ui/src/lib/stores/models/index.svelte.ts
index 0648edbda7..189836ec6d 100644
--- a/tools/ui/src/lib/stores/models/index.svelte.ts
+++ b/tools/ui/src/lib/stores/models/index.svelte.ts
@@ -169,11 +169,15 @@ class ModelsStore implements ModelPropsHost, ModelStatusHost {
 			return;
 		}
 
-		// Try loading a favorite model
+		// Try a favorite model, but only one that exists on this backend: favorites
+		// are shared across backends, so a stored id may belong to another one
 		const favorite = this.favoriteModelIds.values().next()?.value;
+		const favoriteOption = favorite
+			? availableModels.find((m) => m.id === favorite || m.model === favorite)
+			: undefined;
 
-		if (favorite) {
-			await this.selectModelById(favorite);
+		if (favoriteOption) {
+			await this.selectModelById(favoriteOption.id);
 
 			return;
 		}