diff --git a/tools/server/server-models.cpp b/tools/server/server-models.cpp
index 4984f1be68..3d134acf36 100644
--- a/tools/server/server-models.cpp
+++ b/tools/server/server-models.cpp
@@ -1129,7 +1129,8 @@ void server_models::load(const std::string & name, const load_options & opts) {
     // exceeding models_max. Without this, the window between unload_lru()
     // releasing its lock and this lock_guard acquiring allows multiple
     // threads to each observe capacity and all proceed to load.
-    if (base_params.models_max > 0) {
+    // Download workers do not use models_max slots.
+    if (opts.mode == SERVER_CHILD_MODE_NORMAL && base_params.models_max > 0) {
         size_t count_active = 0;
         for (const auto & m : mapping) {
             if (m.second.meta.is_running()) {
diff --git a/tools/server/tests/unit/test_router.py b/tools/server/tests/unit/test_router.py
index e4b7f9fe48..bae1565177 100644
--- a/tools/server/tests/unit/test_router.py
+++ b/tools/server/tests/unit/test_router.py
@@ -540,13 +540,17 @@ def _wait_for_sse_event(collected: list, event_type: str, model: str, timeout: i
 
 
 def test_router_download_model():
-    """Case 1: download a model, verify SSE events and GET /models."""
+    """Case 1: download a model at the model limit, verify SSE events and GET /models."""
     global server
+    server.models_max = 1
     server.start()
 
     # Ensure the model is not present before we start
     server.make_request("DELETE", f"/models?model={MODEL_DOWNLOAD_ID}")
 
+    # A download worker must not consume or evict a model slot
+    _load_model_and_wait(MODEL_B, timeout=120)
+
     sse_events: list = []
     stop = threading.Event()
     sse_ready = threading.Event()
@@ -580,6 +584,7 @@ def test_router_download_model():
     # Model should now appear in GET /models
     ids = _get_model_ids(is_reload=False)
     assert MODEL_DOWNLOAD_ID in ids, f"{MODEL_DOWNLOAD_ID} not found in /models after download"
+    assert _get_model_status(MODEL_B) == "loaded"
 
 
 def test_router_delete_model():