diff --git a/app/assets/seeder.py b/app/assets/seeder.py
index c6107bc55..d65ffb23f 100644
--- a/app/assets/seeder.py
+++ b/app/assets/seeder.py
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ class _AssetSeeder:
     """
 
     def __init__(self) -> None:
-        self._lock = threading.Lock()
+        self._lock = threading.RLock()
         self._state = State.IDLE
         self._progress: Progress | None = None
         self._last_progress: Progress | None = None
@@ -637,12 +637,12 @@ class _AssetSeeder:
             with self._lock:
                 self._reset_to_idle()
                 pending = self._pending_enrich
-                self._pending_enrich = None
-            if pending is not None:
-                self.start_enrich(
-                    roots=pending["roots"],
-                    compute_hashes=pending["compute_hashes"],
-                )
+                if pending is not None:
+                    self._pending_enrich = None
+                    self.start_enrich(
+                        roots=pending["roots"],
+                        compute_hashes=pending["compute_hashes"],
+                    )
 
     def _run_fast_phase(self, roots: tuple[RootType, ...]) -> tuple[int, int, int]:
         """Run phase 1: fast scan to create stub records.
diff --git a/tests-unit/seeder_test/test_seeder.py b/tests-unit/seeder_test/test_seeder.py
index db3795e48..6aed6d6f3 100644
--- a/tests-unit/seeder_test/test_seeder.py
+++ b/tests-unit/seeder_test/test_seeder.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Unit tests for the _AssetSeeder background scanning class."""
 
 import threading
+import time
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
 import pytest
@@ -771,6 +772,188 @@ class TestSeederStopRestart:
             assert collected_roots[1] == ("input",)
 
 
+class TestEnqueueEnrichHandoff:
+    """Test that the drain of _pending_enrich is atomic with start_enrich."""
+
+    def test_pending_enrich_runs_after_scan_completes(
+        self, fresh_seeder: _AssetSeeder, mock_dependencies
+    ):
+        """A queued enrich request runs automatically when a scan finishes."""
+        enrich_roots_seen: list[tuple] = []
+        original_start = fresh_seeder.start
+
+        def tracking_start(*args, **kwargs):
+            phase = kwargs.get("phase")
+            roots = kwargs.get("roots", args[0] if args else None)
+            result = original_start(*args, **kwargs)
+            if phase == ScanPhase.ENRICH and result:
+                enrich_roots_seen.append(roots)
+            return result
+
+        fresh_seeder.start = tracking_start
+
+        # Start a fast scan, then enqueue an enrich while it's running
+        barrier = threading.Event()
+        reached = threading.Event()
+
+        def slow_collect(*args):
+            reached.set()
+            barrier.wait(timeout=5.0)
+            return []
+
+        with patch(
+            "app.assets.seeder.collect_paths_for_roots", side_effect=slow_collect
+        ):
+            fresh_seeder.start(roots=("models",), phase=ScanPhase.FAST)
+            assert reached.wait(timeout=2.0)
+
+            queued = fresh_seeder.enqueue_enrich(
+                roots=("input",), compute_hashes=True
+            )
+            assert queued is False  # queued, not started immediately
+
+            barrier.set()
+
+        # Wait for the original scan + the auto-started enrich scan
+        deadline = time.monotonic() + 5.0
+        while fresh_seeder.get_status().state != State.IDLE and time.monotonic() < deadline:
+            time.sleep(0.05)
+
+        assert enrich_roots_seen == [("input",)]
+
+    def test_enqueue_enrich_during_drain_does_not_lose_work(
+        self, fresh_seeder: _AssetSeeder, mock_dependencies
+    ):
+        """enqueue_enrich called concurrently with drain cannot drop work.
+
+        Simulates the race: another thread calls enqueue_enrich right as the
+        scan thread is draining _pending_enrich.  The enqueue must either be
+        picked up by the draining scan or successfully start its own scan.
+        """
+        barrier = threading.Event()
+        reached = threading.Event()
+        enrich_started = threading.Event()
+
+        enrich_call_count = 0
+
+        def slow_collect(*args):
+            reached.set()
+            barrier.wait(timeout=5.0)
+            return []
+
+        # Track how many times start_enrich actually fires
+        real_start_enrich = fresh_seeder.start_enrich
+        enrich_roots_seen: list[tuple] = []
+
+        def tracking_start_enrich(**kwargs):
+            nonlocal enrich_call_count
+            enrich_call_count += 1
+            enrich_roots_seen.append(kwargs.get("roots"))
+            result = real_start_enrich(**kwargs)
+            if result:
+                enrich_started.set()
+            return result
+
+        fresh_seeder.start_enrich = tracking_start_enrich
+
+        with patch(
+            "app.assets.seeder.collect_paths_for_roots", side_effect=slow_collect
+        ):
+            # Start a scan
+            fresh_seeder.start(roots=("models",), phase=ScanPhase.FAST)
+            assert reached.wait(timeout=2.0)
+
+            # Queue an enrich while scan is running
+            fresh_seeder.enqueue_enrich(roots=("output",), compute_hashes=False)
+
+            # Let scan finish — drain will fire start_enrich atomically
+            barrier.set()
+
+        # Wait for drain to complete and the enrich scan to start
+        assert enrich_started.wait(timeout=5.0), "Enrich scan was never started from drain"
+        assert ("output",) in enrich_roots_seen
+
+    def test_concurrent_enqueue_during_drain_not_lost(
+        self, fresh_seeder: _AssetSeeder,
+    ):
+        """A second enqueue_enrich arriving while drain is in progress is not lost.
+
+        Because the drain now holds _lock through the start_enrich call,
+        a concurrent enqueue_enrich will block until start_enrich has
+        transitioned state to RUNNING, then the enqueue will queue its
+        payload as _pending_enrich for the *next* drain.
+        """
+        scan_barrier = threading.Event()
+        scan_reached = threading.Event()
+        enrich_barrier = threading.Event()
+        enrich_reached = threading.Event()
+
+        collect_call = 0
+
+        def gated_collect(*args):
+            nonlocal collect_call
+            collect_call += 1
+            if collect_call == 1:
+                # First call: the initial fast scan
+                scan_reached.set()
+                scan_barrier.wait(timeout=5.0)
+            return []
+
+        enrich_call = 0
+
+        def gated_get_unenriched(*args, **kwargs):
+            nonlocal enrich_call
+            enrich_call += 1
+            if enrich_call == 1:
+                # First enrich batch: signal and block
+                enrich_reached.set()
+                enrich_barrier.wait(timeout=5.0)
+            return []
+
+        with (
+            patch("app.assets.seeder.dependencies_available", return_value=True),
+            patch("app.assets.seeder.sync_root_safely", return_value=set()),
+            patch("app.assets.seeder.collect_paths_for_roots", side_effect=gated_collect),
+            patch("app.assets.seeder.build_asset_specs", return_value=([], set(), 0)),
+            patch("app.assets.seeder.insert_asset_specs", return_value=0),
+            patch("app.assets.seeder.get_unenriched_assets_for_roots", side_effect=gated_get_unenriched),
+            patch("app.assets.seeder.enrich_assets_batch", return_value=(0, 0)),
+        ):
+            # 1. Start fast scan
+            fresh_seeder.start(roots=("models",), phase=ScanPhase.FAST)
+            assert scan_reached.wait(timeout=2.0)
+
+            # 2. Queue enrich while fast scan is running
+            queued = fresh_seeder.enqueue_enrich(
+                roots=("input",), compute_hashes=False
+            )
+            assert queued is False
+
+            # 3. Let the fast scan finish — drain will start the enrich scan
+            scan_barrier.set()
+
+            # 4. Wait until the drained enrich scan is running
+            assert enrich_reached.wait(timeout=5.0)
+
+            # 5. Now enqueue another enrich while the drained scan is running
+            queued2 = fresh_seeder.enqueue_enrich(
+                roots=("output",), compute_hashes=True
+            )
+            assert queued2 is False  # should be queued, not started
+
+            # Verify _pending_enrich was set (the second enqueue was captured)
+            with fresh_seeder._lock:
+                assert fresh_seeder._pending_enrich is not None
+                assert "output" in fresh_seeder._pending_enrich["roots"]
+
+            # Let the enrich scan finish
+            enrich_barrier.set()
+
+        deadline = time.monotonic() + 5.0
+        while fresh_seeder.get_status().state != State.IDLE and time.monotonic() < deadline:
+            time.sleep(0.05)
+
+
 def _make_row(ref_id: str, asset_id: str = "a1") -> UnenrichedReferenceRow:
     return UnenrichedReferenceRow(
         reference_id=ref_id, asset_id=asset_id,