diff --git a/backend/main.py b/backend/main.py
index 6b11684..4c2d098 100644
--- a/backend/main.py
+++ b/backend/main.py
@@ -187,18 +187,19 @@ async def gemini_voice_ws(websocket: WebSocket):
                     if msg_type == "identify":
                         user_id = msg.get("user_id", "default-user").strip()
                         user_name = msg.get("name", "").strip()
-                        if user_name and user_id:
-                            kira_memory.set_user_preference(user_id, "name", user_name)
-                        prefs = kira_memory.get_user_preferences(user_id)
-                        if kira_memory.enabled:
-                            kira_memory.ensure_peers(user_id)
-                            kira_memory.ensure_session(session_id)
-                            try:
+                        try:
+                            if user_name and user_id:
+                                kira_memory.set_user_preference(user_id, "name", user_name)
+                            prefs = kira_memory.get_user_preferences(user_id)
+                            if kira_memory.enabled:
+                                kira_memory.ensure_peers(user_id)
+                                kira_memory.ensure_session(session_id)
                                 ctx = kira_memory.build_system_prompt_suffix()
                                 if ctx:
                                     memory_suffix = ctx
-                            except Exception:
-                                pass
+                        except Exception as e:
+                            logger.warning(f"Honcho error during identify: {e}")
+                            prefs = {}
                         await websocket.send_json({
                             "type": "identified",
                             "user_id": user_id,
@@ -209,8 +210,11 @@ async def gemini_voice_ws(websocket: WebSocket):
                     if msg_type == "set_preference":
                         key = msg.get("key", "").strip()
                         value = msg.get("value", "").strip()
-                        if key and user_id and user_id != "default-user":
-                            kira_memory.set_user_preference(user_id, key, value)
+                        try:
+                            if key and user_id and user_id != "default-user":
+                                kira_memory.set_user_preference(user_id, key, value)
+                        except Exception:
+                            pass
                         await websocket.send_json({"type": "preference_saved", "key": key, "success": True})
                         continue