diff --git a/src/lib/server/match/orchestrator.ts b/src/lib/server/match/orchestrator.ts
index d306e3d..fb22819 100644
--- a/src/lib/server/match/orchestrator.ts
+++ b/src/lib/server/match/orchestrator.ts
@@ -561,8 +561,8 @@ export async function playPickedMap(matchId: string, matchGameId: string) {
 	await lobby.setMap(slot.beatmapId);
 	await sleep(1000);
 
-	// Set mods
-	await lobby.setMods(slot.mods);
+	// Set mods — FM category always uses Freemod regardless of stored mods array
+	await lobby.setMods(slot.category === 'FM' ? ['FM'] : slot.mods);
 	await sleep(500);
 
 	// Announce with context: what map, current score, what to do
diff --git a/src/routes/(app)/mappools/[id]/+page.server.ts b/src/routes/(app)/mappools/[id]/+page.server.ts
index d914166..f47c578 100644
--- a/src/routes/(app)/mappools/[id]/+page.server.ts
+++ b/src/routes/(app)/mappools/[id]/+page.server.ts
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ export const actions: Actions = {
 			starRating: beatmap.difficulty_rating,
 			bpm: beatmap.bpm,
 			totalLength: beatmap.total_length,
-			mods: category === 'NM' || category === 'TB' || category === 'FM' ? [] : [category],
+			mods: category === 'NM' || category === 'TB' ? [] : [category],
 			// Cached metadata — all R2 URLs
 			title: beatmap.beatmapset.title,
 			artist: beatmap.beatmapset.artist,