diff --git a/server/src/common/backend_factory.cpp b/server/src/common/backend_factory.cpp
index 1383c2166..472e96d71 100644
--- a/server/src/common/backend_factory.cpp
+++ b/server/src/common/backend_factory.cpp
@@ -215,16 +215,10 @@ std::unique_ptr<ModelBackend> create_backend(const BackendArgs & args) {
         return backend;
 
     } else if (arch == "deepseek4") {
-        const PlacementBackend target_backend =
-            args.device.backend == PlacementBackend::Auto
-                ? compiled_placement_backend()
-                : args.device.backend;
-
-        // HIP single-device launches cannot rely on the CUDA/Halo auto-split
-        // path; use the single-backend loader, which can fall back to hybrid
-        // expert placement when a full monolithic load does not fit.
-        if (target_backend == PlacementBackend::Hip &&
-            !args.device.is_layer_split() &&
+        // A single local device uses the monolithic backend. Reserve the
+        // layer-split adapter for explicit multi-device placement or remote
+        // target shards.
+        if (!args.device.is_layer_split() &&
             !args.remote_target_shard.enabled()) {
             DeepSeek4BackendConfig cfg;
             cfg.model_path = args.model_path;
@@ -241,8 +235,7 @@ std::unique_ptr<ModelBackend> create_backend(const BackendArgs & args) {
             return backend;
         }
 
-        // CUDA builds keep the layer-split backend so they can auto-split
-        // across CUDA and remote HIP target shards.
+        // Explicit local splits and CUDA/HIP remote splits use the adapter.
         DeepSeek4LayerSplitAdapterConfig cfg;
         cfg.target_path        = args.model_path;
         cfg.device             = args.device;