diff --git a/docs/plugin-v3-ui.md b/docs/plugin-v3-ui.md
index 8d3fa4a..9477233 100644
--- a/docs/plugin-v3-ui.md
+++ b/docs/plugin-v3-ui.md
@@ -192,10 +192,12 @@ out of the capability graph.
 
 ## Injecting into core shells (profile, dashboard)
 
-Core screens that accept plugin sections render **empty mount points** and
-announce each (re)build with a DOM event, because their `innerHTML` swap wipes
-anything previously injected. A plugin listens for the event and fills the
-mount by id — the same seam every time:
+Core screens that accept plugin sections render **mount points** — usually
+empty, sometimes holding core's own **fallback content** (the Dashboard's
+career slot ships the plugin-count stat) — and announce each (re)build with a
+DOM event, because their `innerHTML` swap wipes anything previously injected.
+A plugin listens for the event and **replaces the mount's content** (never
+append — a fallback may be present) by id — the same seam every time:
 
 | Shell | Event | Mounts |
 | --- | --- | --- |
diff --git a/plugins/career/screen.js b/plugins/career/screen.js
index acefe8e..1188d25 100644
--- a/plugins/career/screen.js
+++ b/plugins/career/screen.js
@@ -937,12 +937,15 @@
         const walls = [];
         for (const inst of (_pp.config || {}).instruments || []) {
             const d = (_pp.instruments || {})[inst];
-            if (!d || !d.committed_at) continue;
+            // A commitment with no opened passport isn't a wall yet — the
+            // external surfaces (profile, home card) stay ABSENT until a
+            // passport exists (absent-not-empty).
+            if (!d || !d.committed_at || !(d.passports || []).length) continue;
             const earned = (d.passports || []).filter((p) => p.badge === 'earned' || p.badge === 'gold');
             badges += earned.length;
             seconds += (d.passports || []).reduce((t, p) => t + (p.seconds_total || 0), 0);
             gigs += d.gig_count || 0;
-            walls.push({ inst, earned, opened: (d.passports || []).length });
+            walls.push({ inst, earned, opened: d.passports.length });
         }
         if (!walls.length) return null;
         return { badges, seconds, gigs, walls };
diff --git a/plugins/career/tests/passports.test.js b/plugins/career/tests/passports.test.js
index bc42556..05cdeae 100644
--- a/plugins/career/tests/passports.test.js
+++ b/plugins/career/tests/passports.test.js
@@ -159,6 +159,10 @@ test('careerTotals / wall + dash card stay absent without commitment', () => {
     t.setView({ config: { instruments: ['guitar'] },
         instruments: { guitar: { committed_at: null, passports: [] } } });
     assert.equal(t.careerTotals(), null);
+    // Committed but zero passports opened: still absent (no zero-wall).
+    t.setView({ config: { instruments: ['guitar'] },
+        instruments: { guitar: { committed_at: 'x', passports: [] } } });
+    assert.equal(t.careerTotals(), null);
     // Committed with an earned badge + hours → totals aggregate.
     t.setView({ config: { instruments: ['guitar', 'bass'] },
         instruments: {