diff --git a/src/basic_memory/cli/auto_update.py b/src/basic_memory/cli/auto_update.py
index 862602ec..48456807 100644
--- a/src/basic_memory/cli/auto_update.py
+++ b/src/basic_memory/cli/auto_update.py
@@ -168,6 +168,20 @@ def _manual_update_hint(source: InstallSource) -> str:
     )
 
 
+def _preload_lazy_console_modules() -> None:
+    """Import modules the post-upgrade output path defers until print time.
+
+    Trigger: an in-place upgrade is about to replace this installation on disk.
+    Why: rich and typer defer some imports until print/excepthook time; once
+    `brew upgrade` / `uv tool upgrade` removes the running version's files,
+    those imports raise ModuleNotFoundError and the final status message
+    crashes the exiting process.
+    Outcome: import the deferred modules now, while the files still exist.
+    """
+    import rich._emoji_codes  # noqa: F401
+    import typer.rich_utils  # noqa: F401
+
+
 def _save_last_checked_timestamp(config_manager: ConfigManager, checked_at: datetime) -> None:
     """Persist the timestamp for the most recent attempted update check."""
     config = config_manager.load_config()
@@ -288,6 +302,7 @@ def run_auto_update(
             else BREW_UPGRADE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS
         )
 
+        _preload_lazy_console_modules()
         install_result = _run_subprocess(
             command,
             timeout_seconds=timeout,
diff --git a/tests/cli/test_auto_update.py b/tests/cli/test_auto_update.py
index 662da549..3751d0c3 100644
--- a/tests/cli/test_auto_update.py
+++ b/tests/cli/test_auto_update.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import subprocess
+import sys
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
 from io import StringIO
 from typing import Any, cast
@@ -15,6 +16,7 @@
     InstallSource,
     _check_homebrew_update_available,
     _is_interactive_session,
+    _preload_lazy_console_modules,
     detect_install_source,
     maybe_run_periodic_auto_update,
     run_auto_update,
@@ -159,6 +161,19 @@ def _fake_run(command, **kwargs):
     assert is_outdated is False
 
 
+def test_preload_lazy_console_modules_imports_deferred_modules(monkeypatch):
+    # Regression: the in-place upgrade deletes the running install's files, so
+    # any module rich/typer defers until print time must already be loaded or
+    # the final status message crashes with ModuleNotFoundError.
+    monkeypatch.delitem(sys.modules, "rich._emoji_codes", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.delitem(sys.modules, "typer.rich_utils", raising=False)
+
+    _preload_lazy_console_modules()
+
+    assert "rich._emoji_codes" in sys.modules
+    assert "typer.rich_utils" in sys.modules
+
+
 def test_homebrew_outdated_triggers_upgrade(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
     config = _base_config(tmp_path)
     manager = StubConfigManager(config)