diff --git a/backend/app/core/ai_tree_validator.py b/backend/app/core/ai_tree_validator.py
index e57767b4..351a223f 100644
--- a/backend/app/core/ai_tree_validator.py
+++ b/backend/app/core/ai_tree_validator.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def validate_generated_tree(tree: dict[str, Any]) -> list[str]:
 
     # Collect all node IDs and validate structure
     all_ids: set[str] = set()
-    all_referenced_ids: set[str] = set()  # option next_node_ids (already checked locally)
+    all_referenced_ids: set[str] = set()  # option next_node_ids (checked globally below)
     action_next_ids: set[str] = set()    # action next_node_ids (checked globally below)
     node_count = 0
     solution_count = 0
@@ -111,11 +111,6 @@ def validate_generated_tree(tree: dict[str, Any]) -> list[str]:
                     next_id = opt.get("next_node_id")
                     if next_id:
                         all_referenced_ids.add(next_id)
-                        if child_ids and next_id not in child_ids:
-                            errors.append(
-                                f"Option '{opt.get('label', '?')}' in node '{node_id}' "
-                                f"references non-existent child '{next_id}'"
-                            )
 
         elif node_type == "action":
             next_id = node.get("next_node_id")
@@ -144,6 +139,13 @@ def validate_generated_tree(tree: dict[str, Any]) -> list[str]:
                 f"Action next_node_id '{ref_id}' references a node that does not exist in the tree"
             )
 
+    # Check that all option next_node_ids exist in the tree (allows cross-references)
+    for ref_id in all_referenced_ids - action_next_ids:
+        if ref_id not in all_ids:
+            errors.append(
+                f"Option next_node_id '{ref_id}' references a node that does not exist in the tree"
+            )
+
     # Global checks
     if node_count < 5:
         errors.append(
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_ai_tree_validator.py b/backend/tests/test_ai_tree_validator.py
index f8f3f4d7..cfa58ff0 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_ai_tree_validator.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_ai_tree_validator.py
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ class TestReferenceIntegrity:
         tree = _make_valid_tree()
         tree["options"][0]["next_node_id"] = "nonexistent"
         errors = validate_generated_tree(tree)
-        assert any("non-existent child" in e for e in errors)
+        assert any("does not exist" in e for e in errors)
 
     def test_action_next_node_id_references_nonexistent_node(self):
         """Action next_node_id pointing to a node that doesn't exist anywhere in the tree."""
@@ -188,6 +188,31 @@ class TestDeadEndDetection:
         assert any("dead end" in e for e in errors)
 
 
+class TestCrossReferenceSupport:
+    def test_option_referencing_non_child_node_in_tree_is_valid(self):
+        """A decision option can reference any node in the tree, not just direct children."""
+        tree = _make_valid_tree()
+        # Make root option point to a grandchild (not a direct child) — cross-reference
+        tree["options"][0]["next_node_id"] = "fix-errors"  # grandchild of root
+        errors = validate_generated_tree(tree)
+        assert not any("non-existent child" in e for e in errors)
+        assert not any("does not exist" in e for e in errors)
+
+    def test_option_referencing_nonexistent_node_still_fails(self):
+        """Cross-references must still point to nodes that exist in the tree."""
+        tree = _make_valid_tree()
+        tree["options"][0]["next_node_id"] = "totally-fake-id"
+        errors = validate_generated_tree(tree)
+        assert any("does not exist" in e for e in errors)
+
+    def test_action_next_node_id_to_ancestor_is_valid(self):
+        """Action node can loop back to an ancestor node."""
+        tree = _make_valid_tree()
+        tree["children"][1]["next_node_id"] = "root"
+        errors = validate_generated_tree(tree)
+        assert not any("does not exist" in e for e in errors)
+
+
 class TestCountTreeStats:
     def test_stats_correct(self):
         tree = _make_valid_tree()