diff --git a/app.py b/app.py
index 90fcde6..2cd885d 100644
--- a/app.py
+++ b/app.py
@@ -43,6 +43,16 @@ APP_VERSION = '0.11.1'
 def inject_version():
     return dict(version=APP_VERSION)
 
+# Auto-initialize database if it doesn't exist
+db_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'database', 'scanlook.db')
+if not os.path.exists(db_path):
+    print("Database not found, initializing...")
+    from database.init_db import init_database, create_default_users
+    init_database()
+    create_default_users()
+    print("Database initialized!")
+
+
 # ==================== ROUTES: AUTHENTICATION ====================
 
 @app.route('/')