diff --git a/src/pipeline/wowee_model.cpp b/src/pipeline/wowee_model.cpp
index 962d678c..65b4c30b 100644
--- a/src/pipeline/wowee_model.cpp
+++ b/src/pipeline/wowee_model.cpp
@@ -259,7 +259,10 @@ WoweeModel WoweeModelLoader::fromM2(const std::string& m2Path, AssetManager* am)
 
     auto m2 = M2Loader::load(data);
 
-    if (!m2.isValid()) {
+    // WotLK+ M2s store header in .m2 but geometry in .skin — always merge the
+    // skin file when present so we get vertices/indices/batches even for M2s
+    // that already report isValid() (older expansions).
+    {
         std::string skinPath = m2Path;
         auto dotPos = skinPath.rfind('.');
         if (dotPos != std::string::npos)