diff --git a/src/components/cases/time-tab.tsx b/src/components/cases/time-tab.tsx
index 5232bf0..ae88e15 100644
--- a/src/components/cases/time-tab.tsx
+++ b/src/components/cases/time-tab.tsx
@@ -186,9 +186,14 @@ export function CaseTimeTab({ caseRecord, onInvoice }: CaseTimeTabProps) {
                     setSelectedFeeId(v);
                     const fee = fees.find((f) => f.id === v);
                     if (fee) {
+                      // If the fee item has no rate set (0), fall back to the
+                      // case's default rate or the user's profile hourly rate.
+                      const fallback =
+                        caseRecord.default_hourly_rate ?? profileRate ?? 0;
+                      const rate = Number(fee.amount) > 0 ? fee.amount : fallback;
                       setForm((f) => ({
                         ...f,
-                        hourly_rate: String(fee.amount),
+                        hourly_rate: rate ? String(rate) : f.hourly_rate,
                         billable: fee.billable,
                         description: fee.description || fee.name,
                       }));