diff --git a/backend/open_webui/routers/channels.py b/backend/open_webui/routers/channels.py
index 81e196360a..1535cce4b4 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/routers/channels.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/routers/channels.py
@@ -1481,12 +1481,11 @@ async def post_new_message(
         except Exception as e:
             log.debug(e)
 
-        active_user_ids = await get_user_ids_from_room(f'channel:{channel.id}')
-
         # NOTE: We intentionally do NOT pass db to background_handler.
         # Background tasks should manage their own short-lived sessions to avoid
         # holding database connections during slow operations (e.g., LLM calls).
         async def background_handler():
+            active_user_ids = await get_user_ids_from_room(f'channel:{channel.id}')
             await create_task(None, app_channel_reply_handler(channel.id, message.id, user.id))
             await model_response_handler(request, channel, message, user)
             await send_notification(