diff --git a/src/components/timer/header-timer.tsx b/src/components/timer/header-timer.tsx
index 9ef5718..98031ba 100644
--- a/src/components/timer/header-timer.tsx
+++ b/src/components/timer/header-timer.tsx
@@ -101,8 +101,11 @@ export function HeaderTimer() {
 
   const isFlatFee = selectedFee?.pricing_type === "flat";
 
+  // If a fee item has no rate (0), fall back to the case rate then the user's
+  // profile rate. Flat-fee items always use their own amount.
+  const feeRate = selectedFee && Number(selectedFee.amount) > 0 ? selectedFee.amount : null;
   const effectiveRate =
-    selectedFee?.amount ?? activeCase?.default_hourly_rate ?? profileRate ?? 0;
+    feeRate ?? activeCase?.default_hourly_rate ?? profileRate ?? 0;
 
   const handleSelectFee = (id: string) => {
     setFeeItemId(id);