diff --git a/backend/src/api/nft_manager.py b/backend/src/api/nft_manager.py
index 1d54fd1..5f3e465 100644
--- a/backend/src/api/nft_manager.py
+++ b/backend/src/api/nft_manager.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ class NftManager:
         # Try to prefer JSON for general listing; we'll toggle off for chain-list calls.
         try:
             self.nft.set_json_output(True)
+            self.nft.set_handle_output(True)
         except Exception:
             logger.debug("set_json_output not available or ignored")
 
@@ -69,7 +70,7 @@ class NftManager:
         Returns raw textual output on success, raises NftError on failure.
         """
         self.nft.set_json_output(False)  # best-effort attempt to disable JSON output
-        res = self.cmd("list ruleset -a")
+        res = self.cmd("list ruleset")
         self.nft.set_json_output(True)  # restore JSON output preference
         if res["rc"] != 0:
             raise NftError(f"nft list ruleset failed: {res['stderr']}")