diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index e59485938..acc7dc28b 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ Docs: https://docs.clawd.bot
 ### Changes
 - Tools: allow `sessions_spawn` to override thinking level for sub-agent runs.
 
+### Fixes
+- Memory: apply OpenAI batch defaults even without explicit remote config.
+
 ## 2026.1.17-3
 
 ### Changes
diff --git a/src/agents/memory-search.test.ts b/src/agents/memory-search.test.ts
index 47a0c11d3..4e8a28c09 100644
--- a/src/agents/memory-search.test.ts
+++ b/src/agents/memory-search.test.ts
@@ -67,6 +67,39 @@ describe("memory search config", () => {
     expect(resolved?.store.vector.extensionPath).toBe("/opt/sqlite-vec.dylib");
   });
 
+  it("includes batch defaults for openai without remote overrides", () => {
+    const cfg = {
+      agents: {
+        defaults: {
+          memorySearch: {
+            provider: "openai",
+          },
+        },
+      },
+    };
+    const resolved = resolveMemorySearchConfig(cfg, "main");
+    expect(resolved?.remote?.batch).toEqual({
+      enabled: true,
+      wait: true,
+      pollIntervalMs: 5000,
+      timeoutMinutes: 60,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("keeps remote unset for local provider without overrides", () => {
+    const cfg = {
+      agents: {
+        defaults: {
+          memorySearch: {
+            provider: "local",
+          },
+        },
+      },
+    };
+    const resolved = resolveMemorySearchConfig(cfg, "main");
+    expect(resolved?.remote).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
   it("merges remote defaults with agent overrides", () => {
     const cfg = {
       agents: {
diff --git a/src/agents/memory-search.ts b/src/agents/memory-search.ts
index 54fd41798..de8bc7ce0 100644
--- a/src/agents/memory-search.ts
+++ b/src/agents/memory-search.ts
@@ -95,6 +95,7 @@ function mergeConfig(
     overrides?.experimental?.sessionMemory ?? defaults?.experimental?.sessionMemory ?? false;
   const provider = overrides?.provider ?? defaults?.provider ?? "openai";
   const hasRemote = Boolean(defaults?.remote || overrides?.remote);
+  const includeRemote = hasRemote || provider === "openai";
   const batch = {
     enabled: overrides?.remote?.batch?.enabled ?? defaults?.remote?.batch?.enabled ?? true,
     wait: overrides?.remote?.batch?.wait ?? defaults?.remote?.batch?.wait ?? true,
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ function mergeConfig(
       defaults?.remote?.batch?.timeoutMinutes ??
       60,
   };
-  const remote = hasRemote
+  const remote = includeRemote
     ? {
         baseUrl: overrides?.remote?.baseUrl ?? defaults?.remote?.baseUrl,
         apiKey: overrides?.remote?.apiKey ?? defaults?.remote?.apiKey,