diff --git a/llama_stack/providers/remote/inference/ollama/ollama.py b/llama_stack/providers/remote/inference/ollama/ollama.py
index 5a78c07cc..12902996b 100644
--- a/llama_stack/providers/remote/inference/ollama/ollama.py
+++ b/llama_stack/providers/remote/inference/ollama/ollama.py
@@ -307,9 +307,10 @@ class OllamaInferenceAdapter(Inference, ModelsProtocolPrivate):
         if model.model_type == ModelType.embedding:
             logger.info(f"Pulling embedding model `{model.provider_resource_id}` if necessary...")
             await self.client.pull(model.provider_resource_id)
-            response = await self.client.list()
-        else:
-            response = await self.client.ps()
+        # we use list() here instead of ps() -
+        #  - ps() only lists running models, not available models
+        #  - models not currently running are run by the ollama server as needed
+        response = await self.client.list()
         available_models = [m["model"] for m in response["models"]]
         if model.provider_resource_id not in available_models:
             raise ValueError(