diff --git a/cache_manager.py b/cache_manager.py
index 839278c..f825769 100644
--- a/cache_manager.py
+++ b/cache_manager.py
@@ -286,9 +286,7 @@ class L1CacheManager:
         # Upload to IPFS first to get the CID (primary identifier)
         cid = ipfs_client.add_file(source_path)
         if not cid:
-            # Fallback to local hash if IPFS unavailable
-            cid = file_hash(source_path)
-            logger.warning(f"IPFS unavailable, using local hash: {cid[:16]}...")
+            raise RuntimeError(f"IPFS upload failed for {source_path}. IPFS is required.")
 
         # Use CID as node_id if not provided
         if node_id is None: