diff --git a/klausur-service/backend/ocr_pipeline_api.py b/klausur-service/backend/ocr_pipeline_api.py
index 11a88f2..a079ee1 100644
--- a/klausur-service/backend/ocr_pipeline_api.py
+++ b/klausur-service/backend/ocr_pipeline_api.py
@@ -1377,6 +1377,14 @@ async def detect_structure(session_id: str):
         for cell in word_result["cells"]:
             for wb in (cell.get("word_boxes") or []):
                 words.append(wb)
+    # Fallback: use raw OCR words if cell word_boxes are empty
+    if not words and word_result:
+        for key in ("raw_paddle_words_split", "raw_tesseract_words", "raw_paddle_words"):
+            raw = word_result.get(key, [])
+            if raw:
+                words = raw
+                logger.info("detect-structure: using %d words from %s (no cell word_boxes)", len(words), key)
+                break
     # If no words yet, use image dimensions with small margin
     if words:
         content_x = max(0, min(int(wb["left"]) for wb in words))
@@ -3529,6 +3537,7 @@ async def paddle_kombi(session_id: str):
         cropped_png=img_png,
         current_step=8,
     )
+    cached["word_result"] = word_result
 
     logger.info(
         "paddle_kombi session %s: %d cells (%d rows, %d cols) in %.2fs "
@@ -3665,6 +3674,7 @@ async def rapid_kombi(session_id: str):
         cropped_png=img_png,
         current_step=8,
     )
+    cached["word_result"] = word_result
 
     logger.info(
         "rapid_kombi session %s: %d cells (%d rows, %d cols) in %.2fs "