diff --git a/backend/open_webui/retrieval/utils.py b/backend/open_webui/retrieval/utils.py
index 82896f00f..86b4acc06 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/retrieval/utils.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/retrieval/utils.py
@@ -1306,6 +1306,8 @@ def get_model_path(model: str, update_model: bool = False):
         return model_repo_path
     except Exception as e:
         log.exception(f"Cannot determine model snapshot path: {e}")
+        if OFFLINE_MODE:
+            raise
         return model