diff --git a/src/CelerisLab/lbm/refinement.py b/src/CelerisLab/lbm/refinement.py
index 0069026..fc30a9f 100644
--- a/src/CelerisLab/lbm/refinement.py
+++ b/src/CelerisLab/lbm/refinement.py
@@ -282,8 +282,9 @@ def prepare_fine_boundary(cfg, patch, objects, *, wall_aware=False):
         y, x = divmod(k, cfg.nx)
         if x0 <= x < x1 and y0 <= y < y1:
             raise ValueError("Transfer coarse donor/target is not an uncovered bulk cell")
-        # Coarse reconstruction targets y=1,ny-2 pull from y=0..2,ny-3..ny-1.
-        if wall_aware and (y <= 2 or y >= cfg.ny-3):
+        # Rows 0/ny-1 are never computed and rows 1/ny-2 are reconstructed after
+        # coalescence; rows 2/ny-3 are ordinary bulk cells only read as donors.
+        if wall_aware and (y <= 1 or y >= cfg.ny-2):
             raise ValueError("Transfer footprint touches the coarse wall reconstruction stencil")
     return FineBoundary2D(tuple(local), _readonly(flags, np.uint16),
                           tuple(_readonly(a, a.dtype) for a in pack_cut_links_to_soa(links)),
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_fine_surface.py b/tests/unit/test_fine_surface.py
index 00bf96c..d289473 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_fine_surface.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_fine_surface.py
@@ -213,3 +213,21 @@ def test_fine_rejects_ghost_solids_unresolved_circle_and_overlap(objects):
     cfg, patch = setup_patch()
     with pytest.raises(ValueError):
         refinement.prepare_fine_boundary(cfg, patch, objects)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('margin, ok', [(4, True), (3, False)])
+def test_fine_wall_guard_allows_read_only_bulk_donor_rows(margin, ok):
+    cfg = LBMConfig(nx=24, ny=24, viscosity=.05)
+    cfg.validate()
+    patch = FixedPatch2D.from_config(cfg, (4, margin, 20, 24-margin))
+    _, coarse, _ = refinement._transfer_footprint(patch)
+    rows = {k // cfg.nx for k in coarse}
+    assert min(rows) == margin-2 and max(rows) == cfg.ny-margin+1
+    source = circle(center=(12.25, 12.25))
+    # Footprint never violates the plain bulk-cell checks; only the wall rule differs.
+    refinement.prepare_fine_boundary(cfg, patch, [source])
+    if ok:
+        refinement.prepare_fine_boundary(cfg, patch, [source], wall_aware=True)
+    else:
+        with pytest.raises(ValueError, match='wall reconstruction'):
+            refinement.prepare_fine_boundary(cfg, patch, [source], wall_aware=True)