diff --git a/pkg/distribution/distribution/client.go b/pkg/distribution/distribution/client.go
index b5ba001d..601e41d5 100644
--- a/pkg/distribution/distribution/client.go
+++ b/pkg/distribution/distribution/client.go
@@ -238,6 +238,30 @@ func (c *Client) PullModel(ctx context.Context, reference string, progressWriter
 	originalReference := reference
 	// Normalize the model reference
 	reference = c.normalizeModelName(reference)
+
+	// Fast-path only for immutable digest references.
+	// Tags may be mutable and must be checked against the registry.
+	if strings.Contains(reference, "@") {
+		if localModel, err := c.store.Read(reference); err == nil {
+			c.log.Infoln("Model found in local store by digest:", utils.SanitizeForLog(reference))
+
+			cfg, err := localModel.Config()
+			if err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("getting cached model config: %w", err)
+			}
+
+			if err := progress.WriteSuccess(
+				progressWriter,
+				fmt.Sprintf("Using cached model: %s", cfg.GetSize()),
+				oci.ModePull,
+			); err != nil {
+				c.log.Warnf("Writing progress: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+
 	c.log.Infoln("Starting model pull:", utils.SanitizeForLog(reference))
 
 	// Handle bearer token for registry authentication