diff --git a/app/routes/inspections.py b/app/routes/inspections.py
index c14eb3b..d6284f3 100644
--- a/app/routes/inspections.py
+++ b/app/routes/inspections.py
@@ -94,17 +94,26 @@ def _collect_form_responses(form_fields, existing_responses=None):
             responses[fid] = request.form.getlist(key)
 
         elif ftype == 'image':
+            # Priority 1: a new file was selected and submitted with the form
             photo_file = request.files.get(key)
             path = _save_photo(photo_file, subfolder='inspection_photos')
             if path:
                 responses[fid] = path
             else:
-                existing_path = (
-                    existing_responses.get(str(fid))
-                    or existing_responses.get(fid)
-                    or ''
-                )
-                responses[fid] = existing_path
+                # Priority 2: the named hidden input carries the AJAX-uploaded
+                # server path directly in the POST body — covers the case where
+                # the photo was uploaded via AJAX but no draft save captured it
+                # (e.g., uploaded after the last flag-issue page reload).
+                submitted_path = request.form.get(f'{key}_server_path', '').strip()
+                if submitted_path:
+                    responses[fid] = submitted_path
+                else:
+                    # Priority 3: fall back to the most recent draft in the DB
+                    responses[fid] = (
+                        existing_responses.get(str(fid))
+                        or existing_responses.get(fid)
+                        or ''
+                    )
 
         elif ftype == 'table':
             cols = field.get('col_headers') or ['Column 1']
diff --git a/app/templates/inspections/execute.html b/app/templates/inspections/execute.html
index 1762d7b..8d85a85 100644
--- a/app/templates/inspections/execute.html
+++ b/app/templates/inspections/execute.html
@@ -420,7 +420,9 @@
             <input type="file" name="field_{{ fid }}" id="field_{{ fid }}" accept="image/*"
                    onchange="uploadPhotoField(this)"
                    data-upload-url="{{ url_for('inspections.upload_photo_ajax', inspection_id=inspection.id) }}">
-            <input type="hidden" id="field_{{ fid }}_server_path" value="{{ saved or '' }}">
+            <input type="hidden" id="field_{{ fid }}_server_path"
+                   name="field_{{ fid }}_server_path"
+                   value="{{ saved or '' }}">
             <div class="upload-main">
               <i class="bi bi-cloud-upload" id="icon_{{ fid }}"></i>
               <span class="upload-prompt" id="prompt_{{ fid }}">Tap to take / choose photo</span>