diff --git a/src/agents/pi-embedded-runner/run.ts b/src/agents/pi-embedded-runner/run.ts
index 2851eccec37..178df54422f 100644
--- a/src/agents/pi-embedded-runner/run.ts
+++ b/src/agents/pi-embedded-runner/run.ts
@@ -2500,6 +2500,15 @@ export async function runEmbeddedPiAgent(
           });
           const timedOutDuringPrompt =
             timedOut && !timedOutDuringCompaction && !timedOutDuringToolExecution;
+          const hasPartialAssistantTextAfterPromptTimeout =
+            timedOutDuringPrompt &&
+            (attempt.assistantTexts ?? []).some((text) => text.trim().length > 0) &&
+            !attempt.clientToolCalls &&
+            !attempt.yieldDetected &&
+            !attempt.didSendViaMessagingTool &&
+            !attempt.didSendDeterministicApprovalPrompt &&
+            !attempt.lastToolError &&
+            (attempt.toolMetas?.length ?? 0) === 0;
           const attemptToolSummary = buildTraceToolSummary({
             toolMetas: attempt.toolMetas,
             hadFailure: Boolean(attempt.lastToolError),
@@ -2523,7 +2532,7 @@ export async function runEmbeddedPiAgent(
                 "Please try again, or increase `agents.defaults.timeoutSeconds` in your config.";
             const replayInvalid = resolveReplayInvalidForAttempt(null);
             const livenessState = resolveRunLivenessState({
-              payloadCount: payloads.length,
+              payloadCount: hasPartialAssistantTextAfterPromptTimeout ? 0 : payloads.length,
               aborted,
               timedOut,
               attempt,
@@ -2535,7 +2544,7 @@ export async function runEmbeddedPiAgent(
             });
             return {
               payloads: [
-                ...(payloadsWithToolMedia || []),
+                ...(hasPartialAssistantTextAfterPromptTimeout ? [] : (payloadsWithToolMedia || [])),
                 {
                   text: timeoutText,
                   isError: true,