diff --git a/cmd/bd/autoflush.go b/cmd/bd/autoflush.go
index b7b459ce..1f329bc7 100644
--- a/cmd/bd/autoflush.go
+++ b/cmd/bd/autoflush.go
@@ -58,7 +58,15 @@ func findJSONLPath() string {
 // autoImportIfNewer checks if JSONL content changed (via hash) and imports if so
 // Fixes bd-84: Hash-based comparison is git-proof (mtime comparison fails after git pull)
 // Fixes bd-228: Now uses collision detection to prevent silently overwriting local changes
+// Fixes bd-4t7: Defense-in-depth check to respect --no-auto-import flag
 func autoImportIfNewer() {
+	// Defense-in-depth: always check noAutoImport flag directly
+	// This ensures auto-import is disabled even if caller forgot to check autoImportEnabled
+	if noAutoImport {
+		debug.Logf("auto-import skipped (--no-auto-import flag)")
+		return
+	}
+
 	// Find JSONL path
 	jsonlPath := findJSONLPath()
 
diff --git a/cmd/bd/autoimport_test.go b/cmd/bd/autoimport_test.go
index 8abf73a6..b1fb9de4 100644
--- a/cmd/bd/autoimport_test.go
+++ b/cmd/bd/autoimport_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"testing"
@@ -30,6 +31,85 @@ func TestCheckAndAutoImport_NoAutoImportFlag(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestAutoImportIfNewer_NoAutoImportFlag(t *testing.T) {
+	// Test that autoImportIfNewer() respects noAutoImport flag directly (bd-4t7 fix)
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+	beadsDir := filepath.Join(tmpDir, ".beads")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(beadsDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create beads dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	testDBPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "bd.db")
+	jsonlPath := filepath.Join(beadsDir, "issues.jsonl")
+
+	// Create database
+	testStore, err := sqlite.New(ctx, testDBPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create store: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer testStore.Close()
+
+	// Set prefix
+	if err := testStore.SetConfig(ctx, "issue_prefix", "test"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to set prefix: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create JSONL with an issue that should NOT be imported
+	jsonlIssue := &types.Issue{
+		ID:        "test-noimport-bd4t7",
+		Title:     "Should Not Import",
+		Status:    types.StatusOpen,
+		Priority:  1,
+		IssueType: types.TypeTask,
+	}
+	f, err := os.Create(jsonlPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create JSONL: %v", err)
+	}
+	encoder := json.NewEncoder(f)
+	if err := encoder.Encode(jsonlIssue); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to encode issue: %v", err)
+	}
+	f.Close()
+
+	// Save and set global state
+	oldNoAutoImport := noAutoImport
+	oldAutoImportEnabled := autoImportEnabled
+	oldStore := store
+	oldDbPath := dbPath
+	oldRootCtx := rootCtx
+	oldStoreActive := storeActive
+
+	noAutoImport = true
+	autoImportEnabled = false // Also set this for consistency
+	store = testStore
+	dbPath = testDBPath
+	rootCtx = ctx
+	storeActive = true
+
+	defer func() {
+		noAutoImport = oldNoAutoImport
+		autoImportEnabled = oldAutoImportEnabled
+		store = oldStore
+		dbPath = oldDbPath
+		rootCtx = oldRootCtx
+		storeActive = oldStoreActive
+	}()
+
+	// Call autoImportIfNewer directly - should be blocked by noAutoImport check
+	autoImportIfNewer()
+
+	// Verify issue was NOT imported
+	imported, err := testStore.GetIssue(ctx, "test-noimport-bd4t7")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to check for issue: %v", err)
+	}
+	if imported != nil {
+		t.Error("autoImportIfNewer() imported despite noAutoImport=true - bd-4t7 fix failed")
+	}
+}
+
 func TestCheckAndAutoImport_DatabaseHasIssues(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	tmpDB := t.TempDir() + "/test.db"