diff --git a/foodie_utils.py b/foodie_utils.py
index 7f35826..7a9f502 100644
--- a/foodie_utils.py
+++ b/foodie_utils.py
@@ -1778,21 +1778,26 @@ def check_author_rate_limit(author, max_tweets=17, tweet_window_seconds=86400):
         logger.debug(f"[DEBUG] NO scripts running, will call get_x_rate_limit_status for {username}")
         remaining, api_reset = get_x_rate_limit_status(author)
         logger.debug(f"[DEBUG] API returned: remaining={remaining}, api_reset={api_reset} for {username}")
+        
         if remaining is None or api_reset is None:
-            # Fallback: Use last known quota or assume 0 remaining
-            if current_time < author_info.get('tweet_reset', current_time + tweet_window_seconds):
-                remaining = author_info.get('tweet_remaining', 0)
-                reset = author_info.get('tweet_reset', current_time + tweet_window_seconds)
-                logger.warning(f"Test tweet failed for {username}, using last known quota: {remaining} remaining")
-            else:
-                remaining = 0  # Assume exhausted if API fails and reset time has passed
+            # If API call fails, use the stored rate limit info
+            remaining = author_info.get('tweet_remaining', 0)
+            reset = author_info.get('tweet_reset', current_time + tweet_window_seconds)
+            
+            # If reset time has passed, assume quota is exhausted
+            if current_time >= reset:
+                remaining = 0
                 reset = current_time + tweet_window_seconds
-                logger.warning(f"Test tweet failed for {username}, assuming quota exhausted")
+                logger.warning(f"Reset time passed and API check failed for {username}, assuming quota exhausted")
+            else:
+                logger.warning(f"API check failed for {username}, using stored quota: {remaining} remaining")
         else:
+            # API call succeeded, update with actual values
             remaining = min(remaining, max_tweets)  # Ensure within Free tier limit
             reset = api_reset
+            logger.info(f"Updated rate limit info from API for {username}: {remaining} remaining")
         
-        # Update author info but preserve tweets_posted_in_run
+        # Update author info
         author_info['tweet_remaining'] = remaining
         author_info['tweet_reset'] = reset
         # Don't reset tweets_posted_in_run here