diff --git a/backend/scripts/import_notes_from_csv.py b/backend/scripts/import_notes_from_csv.py
index b7689a2..6ffe9f6 100644
--- a/backend/scripts/import_notes_from_csv.py
+++ b/backend/scripts/import_notes_from_csv.py
@@ -107,17 +107,24 @@ def run(args):
     con.row_factory = sqlite3.Row
     cur = con.cursor()
 
-    # Fetch all known finding IDs so we can warn about mismatches
-    cur.execute('SELECT total, findings_json FROM ivanti_findings_cache WHERE id = 1')
+    # Fetch all known finding IDs — only IDs present here will be processed
+    import json
+    cur.execute('SELECT findings_json FROM ivanti_findings_cache WHERE id = 1')
     cache_row = cur.fetchone()
     known_ids = set()
     if cache_row and cache_row['findings_json']:
-        import json
         try:
-            findings = json.loads(cache_row['findings_json'])
-            known_ids = {str(f['id']) for f in findings}
+            known_ids = {str(f['id']) for f in json.loads(cache_row['findings_json'])}
         except Exception:
-            pass  # non-fatal — we'll still import and just skip the warning
+            pass
+
+    if not known_ids:
+        print('ERROR: No findings found in the database cache.')
+        print('       Run a Sync from the dashboard first, then re-run this script.')
+        con.close()
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    print(f'{len(known_ids)} active finding(s) in cache.\n')
 
     # ----------------------------------------------------------------- process
     inserted = 0
@@ -127,9 +134,10 @@ def run(args):
     for finding_id, note in rows:
         str_id = str(finding_id)
 
-        if known_ids and str_id not in known_ids:
-            print(f'  WARNING: finding ID "{str_id}" not found in current cache — '
-                  f'note will be stored but won\'t display until a sync pulls that finding')
+        if str_id not in known_ids:
+            print(f'  SKIP    {str_id} — not in active findings (resolved or never synced)')
+            skipped += 1
+            continue
 
         # Check if a note already exists
         cur.execute('SELECT note FROM ivanti_finding_notes WHERE finding_id = ?', (str_id,))