diff --git a/apps/agent/agent/prompt.py b/apps/agent/agent/prompt.py
index ad94bfbf..85adab26 100644
--- a/apps/agent/agent/prompt.py
+++ b/apps/agent/agent/prompt.py
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ def construct_system_prompt(
     working_dir: str,
     linear_project_id: str = "",
     linear_issue_number: str = "",
-    agents_md: str | None = None,
+    agents_md: str = "",
 ) -> str:
     agents_md_section = ""
     if agents_md:
diff --git a/apps/agent/agent/server.py b/apps/agent/agent/server.py
index 1dad6586..eb297579 100644
--- a/apps/agent/agent/server.py
+++ b/apps/agent/agent/server.py
@@ -140,7 +140,6 @@ async def _clone_or_pull_repo_in_sandbox(  # noqa: PLR0915
         logger.info("Repo updated at %s", repo_dir)
         return repo_dir
 
-    # If we reach here, repo doesn't exist or is invalid - clone it
     logger.info("Cloning repo %s/%s to %s", owner, repo, repo_dir)
     try:
         result = await loop.run_in_executor(
@@ -325,6 +324,10 @@ async def get_agent(config: RunnableConfig) -> Pregel:  # noqa: PLR0915
 
     SANDBOX_BACKENDS[thread_id] = sandbox_backend
 
+    if not repo_dir:
+        msg = "repo_dir is not defined; cannot operate without a cloned repository"
+        raise RuntimeError(msg)
+
     linear_issue = config["configurable"].get("linear_issue", {})
     linear_project_id = linear_issue.get("linear_project_id", "")
     linear_issue_number = linear_issue.get("linear_issue_number", "")
diff --git a/apps/agent/agent/utils/agents_md.py b/apps/agent/agent/utils/agents_md.py
index 715de9f9..6afd63e7 100644
--- a/apps/agent/agent/utils/agents_md.py
+++ b/apps/agent/agent/utils/agents_md.py
@@ -31,6 +31,4 @@ async def read_agents_md_in_sandbox(
         return None
     content = result.output or ""
     content = content.strip()
-    if content:
-        logger.info("Loaded AGENTS.md from %s", safe_agents_path)
     return content or None