diff --git a/src/parser_bot/telegram/client.py b/src/parser_bot/telegram/client.py
index 11bf846..8de20ab 100644
--- a/src/parser_bot/telegram/client.py
+++ b/src/parser_bot/telegram/client.py
@@ -146,15 +146,19 @@ _client: TelegramClient | None = None
 
 
 def get_client() -> TelegramClient:
-    """Build a Telethon client. Prefer StringSession from env (k8s-friendly),
-    fall back to file-based session at TG_SESSION_PATH for local dev."""
+    """Build a Telethon client.
+
+    Prefer StringSession from k8s Secret, otherwise use the file-based session
+    path on the mounted PVC so Portal auth can persist between restarts.
+    """
     global _client
     if _client is None:
-        session = (
-            StringSession(settings.tg_session_string)
-            if settings.tg_session_string
-            else settings.tg_session_path
-        )
+        if settings.tg_session_string:
+            session = StringSession(settings.tg_session_string)
+        else:
+            session_path = Path(settings.tg_session_path)
+            session_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+            session = str(session_path)
         _client = TelegramClient(session, settings.tg_api_id, settings.tg_api_hash)
     return _client