diff --git a/index.js b/index.js
index 3336ff8..8ff1a6d 100644
--- a/index.js
+++ b/index.js
@@ -495,7 +495,7 @@ export function apply(ctx, config = {}) {
         if (!sync.allowed(b.name, local)) { result.skipped.push(`${b.name} (local deny/allow)`); continue }
         try {
           if (b.kind === 'local') {
-            if (prev[b.name]?.hash === b.hash) { next[b.name] = prev[b.name]; continue }
+            if (prev[b.name]?.hash === b.hash && sync.isLinked(b.name, prev[b.name].dir)) { next[b.name] = prev[b.name]; continue }
             const stream = mux.open('blob', { name: b.name })
             const buf = await new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
               const parts = []
diff --git a/lib/sync.mjs b/lib/sync.mjs
index 01030c6..9e7921d 100644
--- a/lib/sync.mjs
+++ b/lib/sync.mjs
@@ -285,6 +285,13 @@ export function allowed(name, { allow = [], deny = [] } = {}) {
   return true
 }
 
+/** True when the profile still lists `name` as a bundle linked to `dir` (survives manual edits). */
+export function isLinked(name, dir) {
+  const pkg = readJson(path.join(profileDir(), 'package.json'))
+  if (!pkg || !dir || !fs.existsSync(dir)) return false
+  return pkg.dependencies?.[name] === `link:${dir}` && (pkg.dsh?.profile?.bundles || []).includes(name)
+}
+
 /** Link-spec install of a local plugin dir into the profile (package.json + bundles list). */
 export function linkLocalBundle(name, dir) {
   const prof = profileDir()