diff --git a/scripts/better_patch.py b/scripts/better_patch.py
index d99ab12..e754fa1 100644
--- a/scripts/better_patch.py
+++ b/scripts/better_patch.py
@@ -125,7 +125,23 @@ class GitPatchHandler:
         
         if not self.use_git:
             return self._fallback_patch_apply(str(patch_path), str(target_path))
-        
+
+        # Check if patch is already applied before attempting to apply it
+        try:
+            check = subprocess.run(
+                ['git', 'apply', '--check', '--reverse', '--ignore-space-change', str(patch_path)],
+                cwd=str(target_path), capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=30
+            )
+            if check.returncode == 0:
+                self._log('Patch already applied (reverse-check confirmed)')
+                return {
+                    'success': True,
+                    'message': 'Patch already applied',
+                    'method': 'git'
+                }
+        except Exception:
+            pass  # If reverse-check errors, fall through to normal apply
+
         try:
             # Use git apply with 3-way merge for better conflict resolution
             cmd = [