diff --git a/backend/internal/llm/openai_skill_live_test.go b/backend/internal/llm/openai_skill_live_test.go
index f99db170..803705a2 100644
--- a/backend/internal/llm/openai_skill_live_test.go
+++ b/backend/internal/llm/openai_skill_live_test.go
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ func runLiveSkillProtocol(t *testing.T, provider *OpenAIProvider, model string)
 		return fmt.Errorf("stage=final_answer expected one choice; response=%s", liveResponseSummary(final))
 	}
 	choice := final.Choices[0]
-	if choice.FinishReason != "stop" || len(choice.Message.ToolCalls) != 0 || strings.TrimSpace(choice.Message.Content) != liveAnswer {
+	if choice.FinishReason != "stop" || len(choice.Message.ToolCalls) != 0 || choice.Message.Content != liveAnswer {
 		return fmt.Errorf("stage=final_answer contract mismatch; response=%s", liveResponseSummary(final))
 	}
 	return nil
@@ -159,6 +159,9 @@ func oneLiveToolCall(response *ChatResponse, expected string) (*ToolCall, error)
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("expected finish_reason=tool_calls and exactly one %s call", expected)
 	}
 	call := &choice.Message.ToolCalls[0]
+	if call.ID == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("expected non-empty tool call ID")
+	}
 	if call.Type != "function" || call.Function.Name != expected {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("expected tool=%s, got type=%s name=%s", expected, safeToken(call.Type), safeToken(call.Function.Name))
 	}