diff --git a/core/spotify_worker.py b/core/spotify_worker.py
index 844b9eb3..f8e8cc3a 100644
--- a/core/spotify_worker.py
+++ b/core/spotify_worker.py
@@ -186,8 +186,14 @@ class SpotifyWorker:
                     interruptible_sleep(self._stop_event, 1)
                     continue
 
-                # Rate limit guard — if globally rate limited, sleep until ban expires
-                if self.client.is_rate_limited():
+                # Rate limit guard — if globally rate limited, sleep until ban
+                # expires. EXCEPT: when Spotify Free is available it bridges the
+                # ban (is_spotify_metadata_available() is True via the no-creds
+                # source, and the client routes there), so we keep enriching
+                # instead of stalling. Purely additive: with Spotify Free off,
+                # is_spotify_metadata_available() is False during a ban and this
+                # sleeps exactly as before.
+                if self.client.is_rate_limited() and not self.client.is_spotify_metadata_available():
                     info = self.client.get_rate_limit_info()
                     remaining = info['remaining_seconds'] if info else 60
                     logger.debug(f"Spotify globally rate limited, sleeping {remaining}s...")
diff --git a/webui/index.html b/webui/index.html
index d42a28fc..d5920273 100644
--- a/webui/index.html
+++ b/webui/index.html
@@ -3847,9 +3847,9 @@
                                     <div class="form-group">
                                         <label class="checkbox-label">
                                             <input type="checkbox" id="metadata-spotify-free">
-                                            <span>Enable Spotify Free (no credentials)</span>
+                                            <span>Use Spotify Free when Spotify is unavailable or rate-limited</span>
                                         </label>
-                                        <div class="callback-help">Fetch Spotify metadata without API credentials, for when you can't or don't want to connect Spotify. Unofficial &amp; best-effort (it can break if Spotify changes), and it can't search albums by name or access your library — only used when Spotify isn't authenticated.</div>
+                                        <div class="callback-help">Fetches Spotify metadata without API credentials. Works two ways: as a full Spotify source if you haven't connected your account, and as a bridge that keeps search &amp; enrichment going when your connected Spotify hits a rate-limit. Unofficial &amp; best-effort (can break if Spotify changes); it can't search albums by name or access your library, and never runs while your authenticated Spotify is working normally.</div>
                                     </div>
                                     <div class="callback-info">
                                         <div class="callback-help">Choose the primary source for artist, album, and track metadata. Spotify needs an active session — or enable Spotify Free above. Discogs requires a personal token. MusicBrainz is always available but rate-limited to 1 req/sec.</div>