diff --git a/backend/internal/service/openai_gateway_service.go b/backend/internal/service/openai_gateway_service.go
index d056668a48..1e9407bd12 100644
--- a/backend/internal/service/openai_gateway_service.go
+++ b/backend/internal/service/openai_gateway_service.go
@@ -7311,7 +7311,7 @@ func normalizeOpenAIReasoningEffort(raw string) string {
 		return ""
 	case "low", "medium", "high":
 		return value
-	case "xhigh", "extrahigh":
+	case "xhigh", "extrahigh", "max":
 		return "xhigh"
 	default:
 		// Only store known effort levels for now to keep UI consistent.