diff --git a/lib/utils.sh b/lib/utils.sh
index 8e86836..343e275 100755
--- a/lib/utils.sh
+++ b/lib/utils.sh
@@ -259,10 +259,15 @@ prompt_ollama_models_path() {
         # whether the configured default path should be used, and only show
         # the free-text path dialog (pre-filled with that default) if not.
         if command_exists whiptail && has_tty; then
-            if run_whiptail --title "Ollama KI-Modelle Speicherort" \
+            local yesno_status=0
+            run_whiptail --title "Ollama KI-Modelle Speicherort" \
                 --yes-button "Standard verwenden" --no-button "Eigenen Pfad angeben" \
                 --yesno "Standard-Speicherort für Ollama-Modelle:\n\n$default_path\n\nMöchtest du diesen Speicherort verwenden?" \
-                12 70; then
+                12 70 || yesno_status=$?
+            if [[ "$yesno_status" -eq 0 || "$yesno_status" -eq 255 ]]; then
+                # Yes, or ESC/Cancel (255) - fall back to the configured
+                # default, consistent with the inputbox dialog below where
+                # ESC/Cancel also keeps the default instead of asking again.
                 chosen="$default_path"
             else
                 local tui_tmp