diff --git a/backend/open_webui/utils/middleware.py b/backend/open_webui/utils/middleware.py
index 1c6f1fc510..5a10db3386 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/utils/middleware.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/utils/middleware.py
@@ -2538,7 +2538,13 @@ async def process_chat_payload(request, form_data, user, metadata, model):
                 )
 
         if 'memory' in features and features['memory'] and await Config.get('memories.system_context.enable'):
-            form_data = await add_memory_context(request, form_data, user, model)
+            # features is client-supplied; re-check the permission the native FC path enforces.
+            if getattr(user, 'role', None) == 'admin' or await has_permission(
+                getattr(user, 'id', ''),
+                'features.memories',
+                await Config.get('user.permissions'),
+            ):
+                form_data = await add_memory_context(request, form_data, user, model)
 
         if 'web_search' in features and features['web_search']:
             # features is client-supplied; re-check the permission the native FC path enforces.