diff --git a/skillopt_sleep/mine.py b/skillopt_sleep/mine.py
index f435519f..818be073 100644
--- a/skillopt_sleep/mine.py
+++ b/skillopt_sleep/mine.py
@@ -341,6 +341,12 @@ def _promote_one(*, to: str, from_splits: set[str]) -> None:
     # Only promote from train so hash-assigned test tasks stay untouched.
     if len(real) >= 2 and not any(t.split == "val" for t in real):
         _promote_one(to="val", from_splits={"train"})
+        if not any(t.split == "val" for t in real):
+            import logging
+            logging.getLogger("skillopt_sleep").warning(
+                "holdout_leaked: all real tasks hashed to test, pulling one for val"
+            )
+            _promote_one(to="val", from_splits={"test"})
     # Guarantee a train pool exists when possible; never borrow from test.
     if not any(t.split == "train" for t in tasks) and len(real) >= 2:
         _promote_one(to="train", from_splits={"val"})