diff --git a/ads/aqua/model/model.py b/ads/aqua/model/model.py
index 2b5d7108f..162ef4a87 100644
--- a/ads/aqua/model/model.py
+++ b/ads/aqua/model/model.py
@@ -1111,6 +1111,9 @@ def list(
         aqua_models = []
         inference_containers = self.get_container_config().to_dict().get("inference")
         for model in models:
+            freeform_tags = model.freeform_tags or {}
+            if Tags.AQUA_TAG not in freeform_tags:
+                continue
             aqua_models.append(
                 AquaModelSummary(
                     **self._process_model(
diff --git a/tests/unitary/with_extras/aqua/test_model.py b/tests/unitary/with_extras/aqua/test_model.py
index 61d9b849d..3fc56958f 100644
--- a/tests/unitary/with_extras/aqua/test_model.py
+++ b/tests/unitary/with_extras/aqua/test_model.py
@@ -1654,3 +1654,44 @@ def test_build_search_text(self, description, tags, expected_output):
             self.app._build_search_text(tags=tags, description=description)
             == expected_output
         )
+
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
+        "remove_indices, expected_len",
+        [
+            ([], 2),  # All models have AQUA_TAG -> include both
+            ([1], 1),  # Second model missing AQUA_TAG -> include first only
+            ([0, 1], 0),  # Both missing AQUA_TAG -> include none
+        ],
+    )
+    @patch.object(AquaApp, "get_container_config")
+    def test_list_service_models_filters_missing_aqua_tag(
+        self,
+        mock_get_container_config,
+        remove_indices,
+        expected_len,
+    ):
+        """Ensure list() excludes models that do not have AQUA_TAG in freeform_tags."""
+        mock_get_container_config.return_value = get_container_config()
+
+        import copy
+
+        items = copy.deepcopy(TestDataset.model_summary_objects)
+        for idx in remove_indices:
+            # remove AQUA tag entirely to validate filter behavior
+            items[idx]["freeform_tags"].pop("OCI_AQUA", None)
+
+        self.app.list_resource = MagicMock(
+            return_value=[
+                oci.data_science.models.ModelSummary(**item) for item in items
+            ]
+        )
+
+        # Clear service models cache
+        self.app.clear_model_list_cache()
+
+        results = self.app.list(
+            compartment_id=TestDataset.SERVICE_COMPARTMENT_ID,
+            category=ads.config.SERVICE,
+        )
+
+        assert len(results) == expected_len