diff --git a/integrations/hermes-athena-image/__init__.py b/integrations/hermes-athena-image/__init__.py
index d84b61b..2510d9c 100644
--- a/integrations/hermes-athena-image/__init__.py
+++ b/integrations/hermes-athena-image/__init__.py
@@ -212,7 +212,10 @@ class AthenaLocalImageProvider(ImageGenProvider):
         if isinstance(image_url, str) and image_url.strip():
             sources.append(image_url.strip())
         sources.extend(normalize_reference_images(reference_image_urls) or [])
-        sources = sources[:4]
+        # Hermes may expose the primary upload through both ``image_url`` and
+        # ``reference_image_urls``.  Preserve order while removing duplicates;
+        # restoration deliberately accepts exactly one physical source image.
+        sources = list(dict.fromkeys(sources))[:4]
         model = _select_model(kwargs.get("model"))
         try:
             encoded_sources = [