diff --git a/vector_search/utils.py b/vector_search/utils.py
index 92a2243657..c100a95bb5 100644
--- a/vector_search/utils.py
+++ b/vector_search/utils.py
@@ -498,12 +498,18 @@ def embed_learning_resources(ids, resource_type, overwrite):
         points = _process_resource_embeddings(serialized_resources)
         _embed_course_metadata_as_contentfile(serialized_resources)
     else:
-        # Process content files summaries/flashcards if applicable before serialization
+        serialized_resources = list(serialize_bulk_content_files(ids))
         # TODO: Pass actual Ids when we want scheduled content file summarization  # noqa: FIX002, TD002, TD003 E501
+        # Currently we only want to summarize content that already has a summary
+        existing_summary_content_ids = [
+            resource["id"]
+            for resource in serialized_resources
+            if resource.get("summary")
+        ]
+        ContentSummarizer().summarize_content_files_by_ids(
+            existing_summary_content_ids, overwrite
+        )
 
-        ContentSummarizer().summarize_content_files_by_ids([], overwrite)
-
-        serialized_resources = list(serialize_bulk_content_files(ids))
         collection_name = CONTENT_FILES_COLLECTION_NAME
         points = [
             (
diff --git a/vector_search/utils_test.py b/vector_search/utils_test.py
index 1ee053b9da..10a9955819 100644
--- a/vector_search/utils_test.py
+++ b/vector_search/utils_test.py
@@ -583,3 +583,55 @@ def test_update_payload_no_points(mocker):
     update_content_file_payload(serialized_files[0])
     # Verify set_payload not called
     mock_qdrant.set_payload.assert_not_called()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.django_db
+def test_embed_learning_resources_summarizes_only_contentfiles_with_summary(mocker):
+    """
+    Test that summarize_content_files_by_ids is only called with contentfiles that have an existing summary
+    """
+    mock_qdrant = mocker.patch("qdrant_client.QdrantClient")
+    mocker.patch("vector_search.utils.qdrant_client", return_value=mock_qdrant)
+    mocker.patch("vector_search.utils.create_qdrant_collections")
+    mocker.patch("vector_search.utils._process_content_embeddings", return_value=None)
+    mocker.patch(
+        "vector_search.utils.filter_existing_qdrant_points_by_ids", return_value=[]
+    )
+    mocker.patch("vector_search.utils.remove_qdrant_records")
+
+    # Create ContentFiles, some with summary, some without
+    contentfiles_with_summary = ContentFileFactory.create_batch(
+        2, content="abc", summary="summary text"
+    )
+    contentfiles_without_summary = ContentFileFactory.create_batch(
+        3, content="def", summary=""
+    )
+    all_contentfiles = contentfiles_with_summary + contentfiles_without_summary
+
+    # Patch serialize_bulk_content_files to return dicts with/without summary
+    serialized = []
+    for cf in all_contentfiles:
+        d = {
+            "id": cf.id,
+            "resource_readable_id": getattr(cf, "resource_readable_id", "resid"),
+            "run_readable_id": getattr(cf, "run_readable_id", "runid"),
+            "key": getattr(cf, "key", "key"),
+            "summary": cf.summary,
+            "content": cf.content,
+            "checksum": "checksum",
+        }
+        serialized.append(d)
+    mocker.patch(
+        "vector_search.utils.serialize_bulk_content_files", return_value=serialized
+    )
+
+    summarize_mock = mocker.patch(
+        "vector_search.utils.ContentSummarizer.summarize_content_files_by_ids"
+    )
+    embed_learning_resources(
+        [cf.id for cf in all_contentfiles], "content_file", overwrite=True
+    )
+
+    # Only contentfiles with summary should be passed
+    expected_ids = [cf.id for cf in contentfiles_with_summary]
+    summarize_mock.assert_called_once_with(expected_ids, True)  # noqa: FBT003