diff --git a/src/routes/transcribe.js b/src/routes/transcribe.js
index d026387..209cbac 100644
--- a/src/routes/transcribe.js
+++ b/src/routes/transcribe.js
@@ -22,9 +22,10 @@ function getTranscribeProvider() {
   if (env === 'local')   return 'local';
   if (env === 'aws')     return 'aws';
   if (env === 'openai')  return 'openai';
-  // Auto-detect: use LiteLLM when configured (it handles audio transcriptions)
-  if (process.env.LITELLM_API_BASE && litellmClient) return 'litellm';
+  // Auto-detect priority: AWS > LiteLLM > OpenAI
+  // LiteLLM's Vertex AI audio proxy has routing bugs — only use it if explicitly set
   if (isAWSTranscribeConfigured()) return 'aws';
+  if (process.env.LITELLM_API_BASE && litellmClient) return 'litellm';
   return 'openai';
 }