diff --git a/hermes_cli/update_cmd.py b/hermes_cli/update_cmd.py
index dc5da42d47292..32f5e335668d4 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/update_cmd.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/update_cmd.py
@@ -10103,7 +10103,14 @@ def _fleet_probe_expected_runtimes(
         return True
     try:
         if pre_update_plan is not None and pre_update_plan.runtimes:
-            return True
+            # Only gateway runtimes require fleet verification;
+            # dashboard/serve-only plans don't need gateway rows.
+            has_gateway = any(
+                getattr(r, 'kind', '') == 'gateway'
+                for r in pre_update_plan.runtimes
+            )
+            if has_gateway:
+                return True
     except Exception:
         pass
     return False