diff --git a/packages/core/src/routing/strategies/compositeStrategy.ts b/packages/core/src/routing/strategies/compositeStrategy.ts
index 42646fc4e3..6aadc439da 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/routing/strategies/compositeStrategy.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/routing/strategies/compositeStrategy.ts
@@ -92,17 +92,18 @@ export class CompositeStrategy implements TerminalStrategy {
     startTime: number,
   ): RoutingDecision {
     const endTime = performance.now();
-    const totalLatency = endTime - startTime;
-
-    // Combine the source paths: composite_name/child_source (e.g. 'router/default')
     const compositeSource = `${this.name}/${decision.metadata.source}`;
 
+    // Use the child's latency if it's a meaningful (non-zero) value,
+    // otherwise use the total time spent in the composite strategy.
+    const latency = decision.metadata.latencyMs || endTime - startTime;
+
     return {
       ...decision,
       metadata: {
         ...decision.metadata,
         source: compositeSource,
-        latencyMs: decision.metadata.latencyMs || totalLatency,
+        latencyMs: Math.round(latency), // Round to ensure int for telemetry.
       },
     };
   }