diff --git a/scripts/validation.py b/scripts/validation.py
index 27ec20f7..2f35ae9d 100644
--- a/scripts/validation.py
+++ b/scripts/validation.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ truth data for reporting.
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import os
+import zipfile
 from collections.abc import Mapping
 
 from common import (
@@ -17,7 +18,7 @@ from common import (
     sanitize_pack_path,
     size_fits,
 )
-from hashing import parse_md5_list
+from hashing import md5_composite, parse_md5_list
 from nativemode import digest_algorithm, hash_mismatch_excludes_file
 from ziptools import check_inside_zip
 
@@ -663,7 +664,8 @@ def frontend_digest_matches(file_entry: dict, local_path: str, algorithm: str) -
     resolve_local_file calls a file `hash_mismatch` when any declared hash
     disagrees, but a frontend compares one digest. RomM's list carries md5,
     sha1 and crc32: a mistyped crc32 next to the right md5 must not withhold
-    a file RomM accepts. Same comparison as verify_entry_md5/_sha1.
+    a file RomM accepts. verify_entry_md5 reads it too: Batocera compares a
+    truncated md5 by prefix and Recalbox hashes a ZIP by its members.
     """
     if algorithm == "md5":
         declared = parse_md5_list(file_entry.get("md5"))
@@ -673,7 +675,17 @@ def frontend_digest_matches(file_entry: dict, local_path: str, algorithm: str) -
         declared = [str(v).strip().lower() for v in values if v]
     if not declared or not local_path:
         return False
-    return compute_hashes(local_path)[algorithm].lower() in declared
+    actual = compute_hashes(local_path)[algorithm].lower()
+    if algorithm != "md5":
+        return actual in declared
+    if any(actual == d or (len(d) < 32 and actual.startswith(d)) for d in declared):
+        return True
+    if ".zip" not in os.path.basename(local_path):
+        return False
+    try:
+        return md5_composite(local_path).lower() in declared
+    except (zipfile.BadZipFile, OSError):
+        return False
 
 
 def inner_rom_check(file_entry: dict, local_path: str) -> str:
diff --git a/scripts/verify.py b/scripts/verify.py
index 135f8af7..8f5a7e23 100644
--- a/scripts/verify.py
+++ b/scripts/verify.py
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ import argparse
 import json
 import os
 import sys
-import zipfile
 from collections.abc import Mapping
 
 import slots
@@ -47,7 +46,6 @@ from common import (
     check_inside_zip,
     compute_hashes,
     expand_directory_entries,
-    name_match_size_ok,
     platform_declarations,
     filter_systems_by_target,
     group_identical_platforms,
@@ -56,7 +54,6 @@ from common import (
     load_data_dir_registry,
     load_emulator_profiles,
     load_platform_config,
-    md5_composite,
     md5sum,
     require_yaml,
     resolve_local_file,
@@ -76,6 +73,7 @@ from nativemode import (
 )
 from validation import (
     declaration_settles,
+    frontend_digest_matches,
     existence_discrepancy,
     destination_owners,
     validated_choice,
@@ -235,23 +233,10 @@ def verify_entry_md5(
     if resolve_status == "md5_exact":
         return {**base, "status": Status.OK, "path": local_path}
 
+    # The builder's comparison, so the two count the same files as held.
+    if frontend_digest_matches(file_entry, local_path, "md5"):
+        return {**base, "status": Status.OK, "path": local_path}
     actual_md5 = md5sum(local_path)
-    actual_lower = actual_md5.lower()
-    for expected in md5_list:
-        if actual_lower == expected.lower():
-            return {**base, "status": Status.OK, "path": local_path}
-        if len(expected) < 32 and actual_lower.startswith(expected.lower()):
-            return {**base, "status": Status.OK, "path": local_path}
-
-    if ".zip" in os.path.basename(local_path):
-        try:
-            composite = md5_composite(local_path)
-            for expected in md5_list:
-                if composite.lower() == expected.lower():
-                    return {**base, "status": Status.OK, "path": local_path}
-        except (zipfile.BadZipFile, OSError):
-            pass
-
     return {
         **base,
         "status": Status.UNTESTED,
diff --git a/tests/test_audit_regressions.py b/tests/test_audit_regressions.py
index 09832941..28e36020 100644
--- a/tests/test_audit_regressions.py
+++ b/tests/test_audit_regressions.py
@@ -758,6 +758,32 @@ class OneBaselineVerdict(unittest.TestCase):
                 _intentional_hash_exclusion([entry], db, verification_mode="existence")
             )
 
+    def test_the_builder_accepts_what_verify_accepts(self):
+        """verify took a 29-character md5 by prefix and a ZIP by its
+        composite; the builder compared exact md5s and refused both when
+        another declared hash disagreed."""
+        import hashlib
+
+        from scripts.common import md5_composite
+        from scripts.validation import baseline_verdict
+
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory(dir=TMP_ROOT) as directory:
+            loose = Path(directory) / "abc.bin"
+            loose.write_bytes(b"abc")
+            truncated = {"name": "abc.bin", "md5": hashlib.md5(b"abc").hexdigest()[:29],
+                         "crc32": "deadbeef"}
+            self.assertEqual(
+                baseline_verdict(truncated, str(loose), "hash_mismatch", "md5"),
+                ("frontend_digest_exact", None),
+            )
+            archive = self._archive(Path(directory), "rom.bin")
+            composite = {"name": "dragon32.zip", "md5": md5_composite(archive),
+                         "crc32": "deadbeef"}
+            self.assertEqual(
+                baseline_verdict(composite, archive, "hash_mismatch", "md5"),
+                ("frontend_digest_exact", None),
+            )
+
     def test_a_release_asset_keeps_its_answer(self):
         from scripts.slots import apply_override