diff --git a/crates/tools/src/exec.rs b/crates/tools/src/exec.rs
index b7903daf6..43d7ad63b 100644
--- a/crates/tools/src/exec.rs
+++ b/crates/tools/src/exec.rs
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ impl AgentTool for ExecTool {
             obj.insert(
                 "node".to_string(),
                 serde_json::json!({
-                    "type": "string",
+                    "type": ["string", "null"],
                     "description": "Node name or ID to run on. Omit to use the session's default node."
                 }),
             );
@@ -436,18 +436,21 @@ impl AgentTool for ExecTool {
             .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
             .filter(|s| !s.trim().is_empty())
             .map(String::from);
+        let clear_default_node = params.get("node").is_some_and(serde_json::Value::is_null);
         // Determine the effective node reference, distinguishing model-supplied
         // values from the admin-configured default.  When no nodes are connected:
         // - Model-hallucinated values are silently dropped (fall through to local).
         // - A configured `default_node` produces a clear error so the admin knows
         //   the intended remote host is unavailable.
         let node_ref = if let Some(provider) = &self.node_provider {
-            if provider.has_connected_nodes() {
+            if clear_default_node {
+                None
+            } else if provider.has_connected_nodes() {
                 match model_node.or_else(|| self.default_node.clone()) {
                     Some(node_ref) => Some(node_ref),
                     None => provider.default_node_ref().await,
                 }
-            } else if let Some(ref dn) = self.default_node {
+            } else if !clear_default_node && let Some(ref dn) = self.default_node {
                 return Err(Error::message(format!(
                     "default node '{dn}' is configured but no nodes are currently connected"
                 ))
diff --git a/crates/tools/src/exec/tests.rs b/crates/tools/src/exec/tests.rs
index bc75fc13a..68cf0e325 100644
--- a/crates/tools/src/exec/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/tools/src/exec/tests.rs
@@ -1049,6 +1049,59 @@ impl NodeExecProvider for DisconnectedNodeProvider {
     }
 }
 
+/// Connected provider used to verify explicit node clearing does not route remotely.
+struct ConnectedNodeProvider;
+
+#[async_trait]
+impl NodeExecProvider for ConnectedNodeProvider {
+    async fn exec_on_node(
+        &self,
+        _node_id: &str,
+        _command: &str,
+        _timeout_secs: u64,
+        _cwd: Option<&str>,
+        _env: Option<&HashMap<String, String>>,
+    ) -> anyhow::Result<ExecResult> {
+        unreachable!("explicit null node must use local execution");
+    }
+
+    async fn resolve_node_id(&self, _node_ref: &str) -> Option<String> {
+        Some("connected-node".into())
+    }
+
+    fn has_connected_nodes(&self) -> bool {
+        true
+    }
+
+    async fn default_node_ref(&self) -> Option<String> {
+        Some("connected-node".into())
+    }
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn test_exec_null_node_clears_configured_default() {
+    let temp_dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+    let tool = ExecTool {
+        working_dir: Some(temp_dir.path().to_path_buf()),
+        ..Default::default()
+    }
+    .with_node_provider(
+        Arc::new(ConnectedNodeProvider),
+        Some("configured-node".into()),
+    );
+
+    let result = tool
+        .execute(serde_json::json!({
+            "command": "echo local",
+            "node": null
+        }))
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+
+    assert_eq!(result["stdout"].as_str().unwrap().trim(), "local");
+    assert_eq!(result["exit_code"], 0);
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn test_exec_ignores_node_param_when_no_nodes_connected() {
     let temp_dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
@@ -1123,6 +1176,14 @@ async fn test_exec_schema_hides_node_when_no_nodes_connected() {
     );
 }
 
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn test_exec_schema_allows_explicit_null_node_when_connected() {
+    let tool = ExecTool::default().with_node_provider(Arc::new(ConnectedNodeProvider), None);
+
+    let schema = tool.parameters_schema();
+    assert_eq!(schema["properties"]["node"]["type"], serde_json::json!(["string", "null"]));
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn test_exec_errors_when_default_node_configured_but_disconnected() {
     let temp_dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();