diff --git a/includes/utilities.php b/includes/utilities.php
index c27820e..61f273d 100644
--- a/includes/utilities.php
+++ b/includes/utilities.php
@@ -205,6 +205,16 @@ function fetchVaultRecords($user = null) {
  * @return int The total balance of the given user (or all users if no user is given).
  */
 function vaultLoop ($name=null) {
+    $liveBalance = $name === null
+        ? null
+        : fetchLiveVaultBalance($name);
+
+    if ($liveBalance !== null) {
+        return $liveBalance;
+    }
+
+    // Fallback: derive from stored entries. Used when the live /money call
+    // fails or is not configured for the user.
     $pdo = getDatabaseConnection();
 
     if ($name === null) {