diff --git a/src/bot.py b/src/bot.py
index 53bb25f..12ccbf8 100644
--- a/src/bot.py
+++ b/src/bot.py
@@ -537,7 +537,19 @@ class Bot:
             Logger.info("Buy consumables and/or sell items")
             self._maintenance_step = "buy_consumables"
             prev_buy_loc = self._curr_loc
-            self._curr_loc, result_items = self._town_manager.buy_consumables(self._curr_loc, items = items)
+            # A5 Malah is unreliable in the current patch (wandering NPC, stale body
+            # templates — fails most games). Buy at A4 Jamella instead when in A5.
+            buy_loc = self._curr_loc
+            if TownManager.get_act_from_location(buy_loc) == Location.A5_TOWN_START:
+                Logger.info("Buy consumables: in A5 — traveling to A4 Jamella (Malah unreliable)")
+                a4_loc = self._town_manager.go_to_act(4, buy_loc)
+                if a4_loc:
+                    buy_loc = a4_loc
+                    self._curr_loc = a4_loc
+                    prev_buy_loc = a4_loc
+                else:
+                    Logger.warning("Buy consumables: travel to A4 failed — trying A5 Malah anyway")
+            self._curr_loc, result_items = self._town_manager.buy_consumables(buy_loc, items = items)
             if self._curr_loc:
                 items = result_items
                 sell_items = any([item.sell for item in items]) if items else None