diff --git a/src/tagger.rs b/src/tagger.rs
index 0fd6c1e..0f7514b 100644
--- a/src/tagger.rs
+++ b/src/tagger.rs
@@ -105,18 +105,23 @@ pub async fn tag_track(
         (details, best_release)
     };
 
-    // Upsert primary artist with MusicBrainz ID
-    let artist_id = match &details.artist_mbid {
-        Some(mbid) => Some(
-            queries::artists::upsert(conn, &details.artist, Some(mbid))
-                .await?
-                .id,
-        ),
-        None => Some(
-            queries::artists::upsert(conn, &details.artist, None)
-                .await?
-                .id,
-        ),
+    // Use existing artist_id if already set (e.g., from download pipeline).
+    // Only upsert from MB when the track has no artist association yet.
+    let artist_id = if track.artist_id.is_some() {
+        track.artist_id
+    } else {
+        match &details.artist_mbid {
+            Some(mbid) => Some(
+                queries::artists::upsert(conn, &details.artist, Some(mbid))
+                    .await?
+                    .id,
+            ),
+            None => Some(
+                queries::artists::upsert(conn, &details.artist, None)
+                    .await?
+                    .id,
+            ),
+        }
     };
 
     // Upsert album from best release