diff --git a/hermes_cli/nous_auth_keepalive.py b/hermes_cli/nous_auth_keepalive.py
index ae5538dc38..580408e8b5 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/nous_auth_keepalive.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/nous_auth_keepalive.py
@@ -67,7 +67,6 @@ def _interval_seconds(value: Optional[int]) -> int:
             return int(value)
         except (TypeError, ValueError):
             return NOUS_AUTH_KEEPALIVE_INTERVAL_SECONDS
-
     raw = _nous_config().get(NOUS_AUTH_KEEPALIVE_INTERVAL_CONFIG_KEY)
     if raw is None or (isinstance(raw, str) and not raw.strip()):
         return NOUS_AUTH_KEEPALIVE_INTERVAL_SECONDS
diff --git a/hermes_cli/nous_subscription.py b/hermes_cli/nous_subscription.py
index 2c882d6652..5029a1374f 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/nous_subscription.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/nous_subscription.py
@@ -157,15 +157,15 @@ def _select_nous(config: Dict[str, object], key: str) -> None:
     section.pop("use_gateway", None)
 
 
-def _provider_is_nous(config: Dict[str, object]) -> bool:
-    model_cfg = config.get("model")
-    return isinstance(model_cfg, dict) and str(model_cfg.get("provider") or "").strip().lower() == "nous"
-
-
 def _norm(value: object, default: str = "") -> str:
     return str(value or default).strip().lower()
 
 
+def _provider_is_nous(config: Dict[str, object]) -> bool:
+    model_cfg = config.get("model")
+    return isinstance(model_cfg, dict) and _norm(model_cfg.get("provider")) == "nous"
+
+
 def _toolset_enabled(config: Dict[str, object], toolset_key: str) -> bool:
     """True when some platform's configured toolsets cover every tool of ``toolset_key``."""
     from toolsets import resolve_toolset