diff --git a/dumas_image_nodes.py b/dumas_image_nodes.py
index eac4b11..c507ee6 100644
--- a/dumas_image_nodes.py
+++ b/dumas_image_nodes.py
@@ -886,6 +886,8 @@ def normalize_reference(value, picture_id=None, allow_image_fallback=True):
         if image is None and allow_image_fallback:
             image = value
         reference["image"] = image
+        existing_picture_id = _coerce_picture_id(reference.get("picture_id"))
+        previous_summary = _ensure_sentence(reference.get("summary") or "")
         if picture_id is not None and not reference.get("picture_id"):
             reference["picture_id"] = _coerce_picture_id(picture_id)
         reference["picture_label"] = _reference_label(reference.get("picture_id"))
@@ -893,10 +895,16 @@ def normalize_reference(value, picture_id=None, allow_image_fallback=True):
         reference.setdefault("id", _reference_id("", reference.get("name"), reference["kind"]))
         reference.setdefault("name", "")
         reference["aliases"] = _parse_aliases(reference.get("aliases"))
-        reference["summary"] = _ensure_sentence(
-            reference.get("summary")
-            or _reference_summary(reference["kind"], reference.get("name"), reference.get("picture_id"))
+        auto_summary_before = _ensure_sentence(
+            _reference_summary(reference["kind"], reference.get("name"), existing_picture_id)
         )
+        auto_summary_after = _ensure_sentence(
+            _reference_summary(reference["kind"], reference.get("name"), reference.get("picture_id"))
+        )
+        if not previous_summary or previous_summary == auto_summary_before:
+            reference["summary"] = auto_summary_after
+        else:
+            reference["summary"] = previous_summary
         reference["description"] = _normalize_free_text(reference.get("description"))
         reference["wardrobe"] = _normalize_free_text(reference.get("wardrobe"))
         reference["general"] = _normalize_free_text(reference.get("general"))
diff --git a/tests/test_dumas_image_nodes.py b/tests/test_dumas_image_nodes.py
index 6725925..cd73de6 100644
--- a/tests/test_dumas_image_nodes.py
+++ b/tests/test_dumas_image_nodes.py
@@ -356,6 +356,41 @@ class DumasImageNodeTests(unittest.TestCase):
         required = self.image_nodes.DumasLocationReferenceNode.INPUT_TYPES()["required"]
         self.assertNotIn("picture_id", required)
 
+    def test_normalize_reference_upgrades_generic_summary_with_socket_picture_id(self):
+        image = FakeTensorBatch()
+
+        reference = self.image_nodes.normalize_reference(
+            {
+                "kind": "character",
+                "name": "Dave",
+                "image": image,
+                "summary": "Dave reference.",
+            },
+            picture_id=3,
+            allow_image_fallback=False,
+        )
+
+        self.assertEqual(reference["picture_id"], 3)
+        self.assertEqual(reference["picture_label"], "<Picture 3>")
+        self.assertEqual(reference["summary"], "Dave shown in <Picture 3>.")
+
+    def test_normalize_reference_keeps_custom_summary_when_socket_picture_id_is_added(self):
+        image = FakeTensorBatch()
+
+        reference = self.image_nodes.normalize_reference(
+            {
+                "kind": "character",
+                "name": "Dave",
+                "image": image,
+                "summary": "Primary hero look for the opening close-up.",
+            },
+            picture_id=3,
+            allow_image_fallback=False,
+        )
+
+        self.assertEqual(reference["picture_id"], 3)
+        self.assertEqual(reference["summary"], "Primary hero look for the opening close-up.")
+
     def test_anchor_style_node_exposes_requested_presets(self):
         input_types = self.image_nodes.DumasAnchorStyleNode.INPUT_TYPES()
         options = input_types["required"]["anchor_style"][0]