diff --git a/src/hooks.server.ts b/src/hooks.server.ts
index 15a341d..f4f7b87 100644
--- a/src/hooks.server.ts
+++ b/src/hooks.server.ts
@@ -103,7 +103,16 @@ const setupCheckHandle: Handle = async ({ event, resolve }) => {
 
 		if (error) {
 			console.error('Error checking for existing users:', error);
-			// On error, continue without redirect (fail open)
+			// If table doesn't exist or other DB error, assume setup is needed
+			// Common errors: relation "members" does not exist, permission denied
+			if (error.message?.includes('does not exist') ||
+			    error.message?.includes('relation') ||
+			    error.code === '42P01' || // undefined_table
+			    error.code === 'PGRST204') { // no rows (table might not exist)
+				setupCheckCache = { needsSetup: true, checkedAt: now };
+				throw redirect(303, '/setup');
+			}
+			// For other errors, fail open to avoid blocking the app
 			return resolve(event);
 		}
 
@@ -119,6 +128,8 @@ const setupCheckHandle: Handle = async ({ event, resolve }) => {
 			throw err;
 		}
 		console.error('Error in setup check:', err);
+		// On unexpected errors, redirect to setup as a safe default
+		throw redirect(303, '/setup');
 	}
 
 	return resolve(event);