diff --git a/src/index.mjs b/src/index.mjs
index 643fbed..b891ab7 100644
--- a/src/index.mjs
+++ b/src/index.mjs
@@ -475,9 +475,13 @@ process.on('uncaughtException', err => {
   }
 
   // Auto-migrate schema: ensure user_options banner columns exist
-  db`ALTER TABLE user_options ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS banner_file character varying(255) DEFAULT NULL`.catch(e => console.error('[BOOT] Schema migration error (banner_file):', e.message));
-  db`ALTER TABLE user_options ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS banner_position character varying(50) DEFAULT 'center'`.catch(e => console.error('[BOOT] Schema migration error (banner_position):', e.message));
-  db`ALTER TABLE user_options ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS banner_size character varying(50) DEFAULT 'cover'`.catch(e => console.error('[BOOT] Schema migration error (banner_size):', e.message));
+  try {
+    await db`ALTER TABLE user_options ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS banner_file character varying(255) DEFAULT NULL`;
+    await db`ALTER TABLE user_options ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS banner_position character varying(50) DEFAULT 'center'`;
+    await db`ALTER TABLE user_options ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS banner_size character varying(50) DEFAULT 'cover'`;
+  } catch (e) {
+    console.error('[BOOT] Schema migration error (banner columns):', e.message);
+  }
 
   // Log feature flags
   console.log(`[BOOT] Halls: ${cfg.websrv.halls_enabled !== false ? 'ENABLED' : 'DISABLED'}`);