diff --git a/routes/translate_routes.py b/routes/translate_routes.py
index 3f2b478..adcd1b6 100644
--- a/routes/translate_routes.py
+++ b/routes/translate_routes.py
@@ -532,6 +532,13 @@ async def translate_document_v1(
         if prompt_id in ("null", "undefined", ""): prompt_id = None
         if file_url in ("null", "undefined", ""): file_url = None
 
+        # Story 3.12 / Bugfix: If user is on the free tier, they might have stale Pro features 
+        # in their frontend localStorage (e.g., they downgraded, or switched accounts).
+        # Instead of hard-blocking the translation, we simply strip the Pro features.
+        if tier == "free":
+            glossary_id = None
+            custom_prompt = None
+            prompt_id = None
 
         if file_url:
             if tier == "free":
@@ -541,14 +548,6 @@ async def translate_document_v1(
                     details={"feature": "file_url", "tier": tier},
                 )
 
-        # Story 3.12: Include prompt_id in Pro feature check
-        if (glossary_id or custom_prompt or prompt_id) and tier == "free":
-            raise TranslateEndpointError(
-                code=TranslateEndpointError.PRO_FEATURE_REQUIRED,
-                    message="Glossaries and custom prompts are reserved for Pro users.",
-                details={"feature": "glossary_id, custom_prompt, or prompt_id", "tier": tier},
-            )
-
         # Story 3.10: Validate glossary access before creating the job
         if glossary_id and user_id:
             try: