diff --git a/src/asquare.py b/src/asquare.py
index afe24a1..f649c18 100644
--- a/src/asquare.py
+++ b/src/asquare.py
@@ -271,21 +271,27 @@ async def update_itm(item_id: str, lego_set: dict, item_data: dict = None):
 
             # Get current version for version control
             current_version = fresh_item.get("version")
-            category_id = fresh_item.get("category_id")
+
+            # batch_get doesn't return category_id, so use original item_data if available
+            if item_data and item_data.get("category_id"):
+                category_id = item_data.get("category_id")
+                print(f"[@DEBUG] Using category_id from item_data: {category_id}")
+            else:
+                category_id = fresh_item.get("category_id") or LEGO_CAT_ID
+                print(
+                    f"[@DEBUG] Category ID from fresh_item: {fresh_item.get('category_id')}"
+                )
+                if not fresh_item.get("category_id"):
+                    print(
+                        f"[@WARNING] No category_id in fresh_item, using LEGO_CAT_ID: {LEGO_CAT_ID}"
+                    )
 
             print(f"[@DEBUG] Fresh item version: {current_version}")
             print(f"[@DEBUG] Fresh variation version: {variation_version}")
-            print(f"[@DEBUG] Category ID from fresh_item: {category_id}")
+            print(f"[@DEBUG] Final category_id: {category_id}")
             print(f"[@DEBUG] Present at all locations: {present_at_all_locations}")
             print(f"[@DEBUG] Present at locations: {present_at_location_ids}")
 
-            # Ensure we have a category_id
-            if not category_id:
-                print(
-                    f"[@WARNING] No category_id in fresh_item, using LEGO_CAT_ID: {LEGO_CAT_ID}"
-                )
-                category_id = LEGO_CAT_ID
-
             # Build upsert body
             variation_obj = {
                 "type": "ITEM_VARIATION",
@@ -319,7 +325,7 @@ async def update_itm(item_id: str, lego_set: dict, item_data: dict = None):
                     "variations": [variation_obj],
                 },
             }
-            
+
             upsert_body = {
                 "idempotency_key": str(uuid.uuid4()),
                 "object": item_obj,