diff --git a/01-features/08-agents-that-transact/00-getting-started/01-agents-payments-and-limits/strands_payment_agent.py b/01-features/08-agents-that-transact/00-getting-started/01-agents-payments-and-limits/strands_payment_agent.py
index 6bba3b894..b0b1bb602 100644
--- a/01-features/08-agents-that-transact/00-getting-started/01-agents-payments-and-limits/strands_payment_agent.py
+++ b/01-features/08-agents-that-transact/00-getting-started/01-agents-payments-and-limits/strands_payment_agent.py
@@ -226,11 +226,20 @@
 
 # ── Step 5c: Plugin built-in tools ────────────────────────────────────────────
 print("\n── Step 5c: Built-in Payment Tools ──")
-# The plugin registers get_payment_session, get_payment_instrument, list_payment_instruments
-result = budget_agent("How much budget do I have left in my current session?")
+# The plugin registers get_payment_session, get_payment_instrument, list_payment_instruments.
+# A fresh agent is used here so a string prompt is always valid — reusing budget_agent
+# fails with TypeError if Step 5a/5b left it in interrupt state (e.g. ProcessPayment failed).
+introspection_agent = Agent(
+    model=BedrockModel(model_id=MODEL_ID, streaming=True),
+    tools=[http_request],
+    plugins=[budget_plugin],
+    system_prompt=SYSTEM_PROMPT,
+)
+
+result = introspection_agent("How much budget do I have left in my current session?")
 print(result.message)
 
-result = budget_agent("What payment instruments (wallets) do I have available?")
+result = introspection_agent("What payment instruments (wallets) do I have available?")
 print(result.message)
 
 # ── Step 5d: Uncapped session ─────────────────────────────────────────────────