diff --git a/commands/register.js b/commands/register.js
index 1a4c512..c525063 100644
--- a/commands/register.js
+++ b/commands/register.js
@@ -544,6 +544,13 @@ async function registerCommands() {
       .setIntegrationTypes([ApplicationIntegrationType.GuildInstall])
       .setDefaultMemberPermissions(PermissionFlagsBits.ManageMessages),
 
+    new SlashCommandBuilder()
+      .setName('fix-stale-tickets')
+      .setDescription('Admin only: backfill lastActivity on open tickets where it is null (sets to createdAt).')
+      .setContexts([InteractionContextType.Guild])
+      .setIntegrationTypes([ApplicationIntegrationType.GuildInstall])
+      .setDefaultMemberPermissions(PermissionFlagsBits.Administrator),
+
     new SlashCommandBuilder()
       .setName('accountinfo')
       .setDescription('Look up website account info by email or Discord user')
diff --git a/handlers/buttons.js b/handlers/buttons.js
index d44f8fe..6da6cca 100644
--- a/handlers/buttons.js
+++ b/handlers/buttons.js
@@ -706,8 +706,7 @@ async function handleTicketModal(interaction) {
       .setTitle("We got your ticket.")
       .setDescription("We'll be with you as soon as possible.")
       .setColor(5763719)
-      .setThumbnail("https://indifferentbroccoli.com/img/broccoli_shadow_square.png")
-      .setFooter({ text: "indifferent broccoli tickets (:|)", iconURL: "https://i.ibb.co/sJdytfFM/Untitled-design-6.png" });
+      .setThumbnail("https://indifferentbroccoli.com/img/broccoli_shadow_square.png");
 
     const infoEmbed = new EmbedBuilder()
       .setColor(5763719)
diff --git a/handlers/commands.js b/handlers/commands.js
index 63b9c56..9f4d936 100644
--- a/handlers/commands.js
+++ b/handlers/commands.js
@@ -1156,6 +1156,24 @@ async function handleCommand(interaction) {
     }
   }
 
+  // /fix-stale-tickets
+  if (interaction.commandName === 'fix-stale-tickets') {
+    if (interaction.user.id !== CONFIG.ADMIN_ID) {
+      return interaction.reply({ content: 'You do not have permission to run this command.', ephemeral: true });
+    }
+    await interaction.deferReply({ ephemeral: true });
+    try {
+      const result = await Ticket.updateMany(
+        { status: 'open', lastActivity: null },
+        [{ $set: { lastActivity: '$createdAt' } }]
+      );
+      await interaction.editReply(`Fixed ${result.modifiedCount} ticket(s).`);
+    } catch (err) {
+      console.error('fix-stale-tickets:', err);
+      await interaction.editReply('❌ Failed to backfill tickets.').catch(() => {});
+    }
+  }
+
   // /stats
   if (interaction.commandName === 'stats') {
     trackInteraction('commands', 'stats', interaction.user.tag);
diff --git a/services/surgeChecker.js b/services/surgeChecker.js
index 0a3124f..64ff55c 100644
--- a/services/surgeChecker.js
+++ b/services/surgeChecker.js
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ async function checkStaleSurge(client) {
   const cutoff = new Date(Date.now() - CONFIG.SURGE_STALE_HOURS * 3600000);
   const count = await Ticket.countDocuments({
     status: 'open',
-    lastActivity: { $lte: cutoff }
+    lastActivity: { $lte: cutoff, $ne: null }
   });
   if (count >= CONFIG.SURGE_STALE_COUNT) {
     setCooldown('surge:stale');
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ async function checkNeedsResponseSurge(client) {
   const count = await Ticket.countDocuments({
     status: 'open',
     lastMessageAuthorIsStaff: false,
-    lastActivity: { $lte: cutoff }
+    lastActivity: { $lte: cutoff, $ne: null }
   });
   if (count >= CONFIG.SURGE_NEEDS_RESPONSE_COUNT) {
     setCooldown('surge:needs_response');