diff --git a/backend/app/services/tag_service.py b/backend/app/services/tag_service.py
index d1f292a..60ffddd 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/tag_service.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/tag_service.py
@@ -715,7 +715,7 @@ async def normalize_existing_tags(
     }
     for key, members in touched:
         canonical = key[2]
-        names_by_id = {tag_id: name for tag_id, name in members}
+        names_by_id = dict(members)
         # Survivor: prefer a member already named canonically (no rename, no
         # self-alias); else the best-connected (fewest FK repoints); else
         # lowest id for determinism.