diff --git a/src/scribe/services/embeddings.py b/src/scribe/services/embeddings.py
index a905b1e..bf66e49 100644
--- a/src/scribe/services/embeddings.py
+++ b/src/scribe/services/embeddings.py
@@ -374,7 +374,10 @@ async def _claim_parent_row(session, id_column, row_id: int, label: str) -> bool
         held = (await session.execute(
             select(id_column)
             .where(id_column == row_id)
-            .with_for_update(key_share=True, nowait=True)
+            # BOTH flags: SQLAlchemy spells the four Postgres row locks as a
+            # read/key_share pair, and key_share alone is FOR NO KEY UPDATE —
+            # which would make two refreshes of one record fight each other.
+            .with_for_update(read=True, key_share=True, nowait=True)
         )).scalar_one_or_none()
     except Exception:
         # LockNotAvailable: this record is being deleted right now. Not an