diff --git a/continuityos/gate/broker.py b/continuityos/gate/broker.py
index e1a158b..3b08532 100644
--- a/continuityos/gate/broker.py
+++ b/continuityos/gate/broker.py
@@ -465,14 +465,24 @@ def _preflight_exec(self, request_id, argv, cwd, paths=None):
                                     ["malformed matching candidate event"],
                                 )
                             action = payload.get("action")
-                            meta = action.get("meta") if isinstance(action, dict) else None
+                            # Pre-broker legacy preflights have no action/meta
+                            # request identity. They cannot be orphan candidates
+                            # for a broker request and must not block adoption.
+                            if not isinstance(action, dict):
+                                continue
+                            meta = action.get("meta")
+                            if meta is None:
+                                continue
                             if not isinstance(meta, dict):
                                 reg.rollback()
                                 return self._held(
                                     request_id, request_key,
                                     ["malformed matching candidate event"],
                                 )
-                            if meta.get("broker_request_key") == request_key:
+                            candidate_key = meta.get("broker_request_key")
+                            if candidate_key is None:
+                                continue
+                            if candidate_key == request_key:
                                 matching.append(
                                     (event_hash, payload, action, meta)
                                 )
diff --git a/tests/test_gate_broker.py b/tests/test_gate_broker.py
index 2278bb2..cc45242 100644
--- a/tests/test_gate_broker.py
+++ b/tests/test_gate_broker.py
@@ -418,3 +418,48 @@ def test_orphaned_claim_is_held_through_broker(broker, tmp_path):
     assert "no verified terminal state" in result["reasons"][0]
     assert "orphaned prior claim" in result["status_stdout"]
     assert not (tmp_path / "effect.txt").exists()
+
+
+def test_legacy_preflight_without_broker_identity_does_not_block_new_request(
+    broker, tmp_path
+):
+    with Ledger(broker.ledger_path) as ledger:
+        legacy_hash = ledger.append("preflight", {
+            "action": None,
+            "decision": "ALLOW",
+            "rollback_plan": {},
+        })
+
+    script = _script(tmp_path)
+    result = broker.preflight_exec(
+        "after-legacy", [sys.executable, str(script)], str(tmp_path)
+    )
+
+    assert result["state"] == "PREFLIGHTED"
+    assert result["preflight_hash"] != legacy_hash
+    assert result["decision"] in ("ALLOW", "WARN", "REQUIRE_CONFIRMATION")
+
+
+def test_matching_broker_orphan_with_malformed_action_still_fails_closed(
+    broker, tmp_path
+):
+    request_id = "matching-malformed"
+    request_key = broker._key(request_id)
+    with Ledger(broker.ledger_path) as ledger:
+        malformed_hash = ledger.append("preflight", {
+            "action": {
+                "tool": "exec",
+                "meta": {"broker_request_key": request_key},
+            },
+            "decision": "ALLOW",
+            "rollback_plan": {},
+        })
+
+    script = _script(tmp_path)
+    result = broker.preflight_exec(
+        request_id, [sys.executable, str(script)], str(tmp_path)
+    )
+
+    assert result["state"] == "HELD"
+    assert result["preflight_hash"] == malformed_hash
+    assert result["reasons"] == ["action is incomplete"]