diff --git a/server/index.js b/server/index.js
index 62d85130ba..35e17d9372 100755
--- a/server/index.js
+++ b/server/index.js
@@ -2312,6 +2312,9 @@ async function startServer() {
         // Initialize authentication database
         await initializeDatabase();
 
+        // Ensure Gemini session store is loaded from disk before accepting requests
+        await sessionManager.ready;
+
         // Configure Web Push (VAPID keys)
         configureWebPush();