diff --git a/backend/src/db.ts b/backend/src/db.ts
index 383c878..7d156d6 100644
--- a/backend/src/db.ts
+++ b/backend/src/db.ts
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ async function seedInitialAdmin() {
     [adminEmail.toLowerCase()],
   );
 
-  if (existing.rowCount > 0) {
+  if ((existing.rowCount ?? 0) > 0) {
     return;
   }