diff --git a/models/res_partner.py b/models/res_partner.py
index e9d416e..114d107 100644
--- a/models/res_partner.py
+++ b/models/res_partner.py
@@ -61,6 +61,12 @@ class ResPartner(models.Model):
             if partner.is_company:
                 continue
 
+            # If membership_level_id was explicitly set in the create vals
+            # (e.g. by the XMLRPC migration script), skip auto-Silver entirely.
+            # The caller is responsible for creating the correct loyalty card.
+            if partner.membership_level_id:
+                continue
+
             # Find Membership Silver first, then fall back to lowest spend program
             lowest_program = self.env['loyalty.program'].sudo().search(
                 [('multi_level_membership', '=', True), ('manual_membership', '=', False), ('name', '=ilike', 'Membership Silver')],