diff --git a/src/session.rs b/src/session.rs
index b6d9b08..3e847f0 100644
--- a/src/session.rs
+++ b/src/session.rs
@@ -775,18 +775,23 @@ fn hydrate_session(
                                 record.sequence
                             )
                         })?;
-                        ensure_record_commitment(&record, &commitment.id)?;
-                        if !review_completed {
-                            return Err(anyhow!(
-                                "review completion is required before returning to planning at sequence {}",
-                                record.sequence
-                            ));
-                        }
-                        if commitment.state != CommitmentState::Completed {
-                            return Err(anyhow!(
-                                "reviewed commitment must be terminal before returning to planning at sequence {}",
-                                record.sequence
-                            ));
+                        let legacy_unlinked_review_return = record.commitment_id.is_none()
+                            && !review_completed
+                            && commitment.state == CommitmentState::Active;
+                        if !legacy_unlinked_review_return {
+                            ensure_record_commitment(&record, &commitment.id)?;
+                            if !review_completed {
+                                return Err(anyhow!(
+                                    "review completion is required before returning to planning at sequence {}",
+                                    record.sequence
+                                ));
+                            }
+                            if commitment.state != CommitmentState::Completed {
+                                return Err(anyhow!(
+                                    "reviewed commitment must be terminal before returning to planning at sequence {}",
+                                    record.sequence
+                                ));
+                            }
                         }
                     }
                     _ => {}
@@ -2318,6 +2323,85 @@ mod tests {
         fs::remove_file(path).unwrap();
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn replay_accepts_legacy_unlinked_review_to_planning() {
+        let path = temp_log_path("legacy-review-return");
+        let first_commitment_id = "commitment-legacy-first";
+        let second_commitment_id = "commitment-legacy-second";
+        {
+            let mut log = EventLog::open(&path).unwrap();
+            log.append_batch([
+                PendingEventRecord {
+                    event_type: EventType::RuntimeTransition,
+                    runtime_state: RuntimeState::Planning,
+                    commitment_id: None,
+                    payload_json: json!({
+                        "schema_version": POLICY_SCHEMA_VERSION,
+                        "action": "enter_planning",
+                        "from": "locked",
+                        "to": "planning",
+                    }),
+                },
+                PendingEventRecord {
+                    event_type: EventType::CommitmentCreated,
+                    runtime_state: RuntimeState::Active,
+                    commitment_id: Some(first_commitment_id.to_string()),
+                    payload_json: commitment_payload(first_commitment_id, CommitmentState::Active),
+                },
+                PendingEventRecord {
+                    event_type: EventType::PolicyApplied,
+                    runtime_state: RuntimeState::Active,
+                    commitment_id: Some(first_commitment_id.to_string()),
+                    payload_json: policy_payload(first_commitment_id),
+                },
+                PendingEventRecord {
+                    event_type: EventType::RuntimeTransition,
+                    runtime_state: RuntimeState::Review,
+                    commitment_id: Some(first_commitment_id.to_string()),
+                    payload_json: json!({
+                        "schema_version": POLICY_SCHEMA_VERSION,
+                        "action": "complete_for_review",
+                        "from": "active",
+                        "to": "review",
+                    }),
+                },
+                PendingEventRecord {
+                    event_type: EventType::RuntimeTransition,
+                    runtime_state: RuntimeState::Planning,
+                    commitment_id: None,
+                    payload_json: json!({
+                        "schema_version": POLICY_SCHEMA_VERSION,
+                        "action": "return_to_planning_after_review",
+                        "from": "review",
+                        "to": "planning",
+                    }),
+                },
+                PendingEventRecord {
+                    event_type: EventType::CommitmentCreated,
+                    runtime_state: RuntimeState::Active,
+                    commitment_id: Some(second_commitment_id.to_string()),
+                    payload_json: commitment_payload(second_commitment_id, CommitmentState::Active),
+                },
+                PendingEventRecord {
+                    event_type: EventType::PolicyApplied,
+                    runtime_state: RuntimeState::Active,
+                    commitment_id: Some(second_commitment_id.to_string()),
+                    payload_json: policy_payload(second_commitment_id),
+                },
+            ])
+            .unwrap();
+        }
+
+        let reopened = SessionController::new(&path).unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(reopened.runtime_state(), RuntimeState::Active);
+        assert_eq!(
+            reopened.active_commitment().unwrap().id,
+            second_commitment_id
+        );
+        fs::remove_file(path).unwrap();
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn replay_tolerates_review_completed_without_changing_runtime() {
         let path = temp_log_path("review-completed-no-transition");