diff --git a/apps/server/AliasVault.Admin/Main/Components/WorkerStatus/ServiceControl.razor b/apps/server/AliasVault.Admin/Main/Components/WorkerStatus/ServiceControl.razor
index da72b77be..0fd26b5b6 100644
--- a/apps/server/AliasVault.Admin/Main/Components/WorkerStatus/ServiceControl.razor
+++ b/apps/server/AliasVault.Admin/Main/Components/WorkerStatus/ServiceControl.razor
@@ -223,6 +223,14 @@
                     service.CurrentStatus = entry.CurrentStatus;
                     service.DesiredStatus = entry.DesiredStatus;
                 }
+                else
+                {
+                    // No record exists - service hasn't started yet or database issue.
+                    // Show as offline/stopped state so the button displays red (not transparent).
+                    service.IsHeartBeatValid = false;
+                    service.CurrentStatus = "Stopped";
+                    service.DesiredStatus = string.Empty;
+                }
             }
 
             await InvokeAsync(StateHasChanged);
diff --git a/apps/server/Utilities/AliasVault.WorkerStatus/StatusWorker.cs b/apps/server/Utilities/AliasVault.WorkerStatus/StatusWorker.cs
index 553dbefd0..ba8f416e3 100644
--- a/apps/server/Utilities/AliasVault.WorkerStatus/StatusWorker.cs
+++ b/apps/server/Utilities/AliasVault.WorkerStatus/StatusWorker.cs
@@ -26,6 +26,17 @@ public class StatusWorker(ILogger<StatusWorker> logger, Func<IWorkerStatusDbCont
     /// <returns>Task.</returns>
     protected override async Task ExecuteAsync(CancellationToken stoppingToken)
     {
+        try
+        {
+            using var initDbContext = createDbContext();
+            _dbContext = initDbContext;
+            await GetOrCreateInitialStatusRecordAsync();
+        }
+        catch (Exception e)
+        {
+            logger.LogError(e, "Failed to initialize service status record for {ServiceName}", globalServiceStatus.ServiceName);
+        }
+
         while (!stoppingToken.IsCancellationRequested)
         {
             using var dbContext = createDbContext();