diff --git a/agent/agent_init.py b/agent/agent_init.py
index da92e6f881..20e44607bb 100644
--- a/agent/agent_init.py
+++ b/agent/agent_init.py
@@ -916,13 +916,7 @@ def init_agent(
     # Per-provider reasoning_content echo opt-in (see _reasoning_echo_opt_in).
     # Read once at init; switch_model / try_activate_fallback / restore
     # keep it in sync with the active provider.
-    try:
-        from hermes_cli.config import load_config_readonly
-        agent._reasoning_echo_flag = bool(
-            (load_config_readonly().get("model") or {}).get("reasoning_echo")
-        )
-    except Exception:
-        agent._reasoning_echo_flag = False
+    agent._reasoning_echo_flag = agent._read_reasoning_echo_from_config()
     agent.service_tier = service_tier
     agent.request_overrides = dict(request_overrides or {})
     agent.prefill_messages = prefill_messages or []  # Prefilled conversation turns
diff --git a/agent/agent_runtime_helpers.py b/agent/agent_runtime_helpers.py
index bcb1cc3a04..dbbb0d11e9 100644
--- a/agent/agent_runtime_helpers.py
+++ b/agent/agent_runtime_helpers.py
@@ -2690,13 +2690,7 @@ def switch_model(agent, new_model, new_provider, api_key='', base_url='', api_mo
         agent.requested_provider = new_provider
         # Re-read reasoning_echo from config so the flag reflects the new
         # primary model's setting (see _reasoning_echo_opt_in).
-        try:
-            from hermes_cli.config import load_config_readonly
-            agent._reasoning_echo_flag = bool(
-                (load_config_readonly().get("model") or {}).get("reasoning_echo")
-            )
-        except Exception:
-            agent._reasoning_echo_flag = False
+        agent._reasoning_echo_flag = agent._read_reasoning_echo_from_config()
         # Use the new base_url when provided. When it's empty AND the
         # provider is actually changing, do NOT fall back to the current
         # (old provider's) URL — that silently pairs the new provider label
diff --git a/run_agent.py b/run_agent.py
index 548c9953d8..ad8dc8d65d 100644
--- a/run_agent.py
+++ b/run_agent.py
@@ -7790,6 +7790,17 @@ class AIAgent:
         """
         return bool(getattr(self, "_reasoning_echo_flag", False))
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def _read_reasoning_echo_from_config() -> bool:
+        """Read ``model.reasoning_echo`` from config; False on any error."""
+        try:
+            from hermes_cli.config import load_config_readonly
+            return bool(
+                (load_config_readonly().get("model") or {}).get("reasoning_echo")
+            )
+        except Exception:
+            return False
+
     def _needs_kimi_tool_reasoning(self) -> bool:
         """Return True when the current provider is Kimi / Moonshot thinking mode.