diff --git a/backend/app/services/strategy_service.py b/backend/app/services/strategy_service.py
index f002f49..67abf6d 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/strategy_service.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/strategy_service.py
@@ -711,7 +711,8 @@ def _build_engine_config(user_id: str, run_id: str, req=None):
 
     mode = (cfg.get("mode") or (req.mode if req is not None else "PAPER") or "PAPER").strip().upper()
     broker = cfg.get("broker") or "paper"
-    strategy_name = cfg.get("strategy") or cfg.get("strategy_name") or (req.strategy_name if req is not None else None)
+    req_strategy = getattr(req, "strategy_name", None) if req is not None else None
+    strategy_name = req_strategy or cfg.get("strategy") or cfg.get("strategy_name")
 
     with engine_context(user_id, run_id):
         state = load_state(mode=mode)