diff --git a/src/commands/list.ts b/src/commands/list.ts
index c96567d..be08e25 100644
--- a/src/commands/list.ts
+++ b/src/commands/list.ts
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ export async function action(opts: { json?: boolean; all?: boolean; add?: string
 
   const results = await Promise.all(sessions.map(s => resolveStatus(s, vmRunning)))
   const statusMap = new Map(sessions.map((s, i) => [s, results[i]]))
-  await clearStaleReviews(sessions, results)
+  if (vmRunning) await clearStaleReviews(sessions, results)
 
   if (opts.json) {
     const withStatus = sessions.map(s => ({ ...s, status: statusMap.get(s) ?? "idle" }))