diff --git a/gateway/run_startup.py b/gateway/run_startup.py
index 2ff3b743d1..a4e1448afc 100644
--- a/gateway/run_startup.py
+++ b/gateway/run_startup.py
@@ -478,13 +478,13 @@ class GatewayStartupMixin:
         else:
             # Startup rows preserve the historical default-adapter route.
             adapter = self.adapters.get(platform)
-        # A runtime claim whose reconnect vanished before dispatch is released without spending an
-        # attempt; startup claims stay 'attempting' for the next boot's marked redelivery (attempts cap +
-        # stale cutoff bound retries).
+        # A claim (runtime or boot) whose adapter vanished before dispatch was never sent: release it
+        # without spending an attempt so the reconnect sweep, which only takes 'failed' rows, delivers it
+        # instead of it waiting 'attempting' for the next restart.
         # Only a flood row keeps its error (the platform's wait must be honoured); any other row
         # becomes reconnect-only, or the redelivery timer would claim and release it until the
         # adapter is back.
-        if adapter is None and row.get("runtime_recovery"):
+        if adapter is None:
             from gateway.delivery_ledger import is_flood_error
 
             last_error = row.get("last_error")
diff --git a/tests/gateway/test_delivery_ledger.py b/tests/gateway/test_delivery_ledger.py
index 91f01c5c01..37a2adb673 100644
--- a/tests/gateway/test_delivery_ledger.py
+++ b/tests/gateway/test_delivery_ledger.py
@@ -519,6 +519,24 @@ class TestGatewayRedeliverySweep:
 
         assert dl.sweep_failed_for_runtime("telegram") == []
 
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("claimed_state", ["pending", "failed"])
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_boot_claim_whose_adapter_vanishes_is_left_for_the_reconnect_sweep(self, claimed_state):
+        """A boot claim never sent (platform went away before dispatch) must not strand in 'attempting'."""
+        _record()
+        if claimed_state == "failed":
+            dl.mark_failed("ob-1", "send_path_degraded")
+        _orphan("ob-1")
+        runner = self._runner(self._adapter())
+        claimed = await runner._claim_pending_obligations()
+        assert [r["obligation_id"] for r in claimed] == ["ob-1"]
+        runner.adapters = {}  # platform went fatal during the restart notification / flood sleep
+
+        await runner._redeliver_claimed_obligations(claimed)
+
+        assert _row("ob-1")["state"] == "failed" and _row("ob-1")["attempts"] == 0
+        assert [r["obligation_id"] for r in dl.sweep_failed_for_runtime("slack")] == ["ob-1"]
+
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_runtime_failed_redelivery_clears_resume_before_send(self):
         from gateway.config import Platform