diff --git a/core/db.py b/core/db.py
index 74d01df..a54790d 100644
--- a/core/db.py
+++ b/core/db.py
@@ -663,10 +663,11 @@ def _migrate(conn: sqlite3.Connection):
     # Fix orphaned dept_sub pipelines left in 'running' state due to double-create bug
     # (KIN-ARCH-012): before the fix, _execute_department_head_step created a pipeline
     # that was never updated, leaving ghost 'running' records in prod DB.
-    conn.execute(
-        "UPDATE pipelines SET status = 'failed' WHERE route_type = 'dept_sub' AND status = 'running'"
-    )
-    conn.commit()
+    if "pipelines" in existing_tables:
+        conn.execute(
+            "UPDATE pipelines SET status = 'failed' WHERE route_type = 'dept_sub' AND status = 'running'"
+        )
+        conn.commit()
 
 
 def _seed_default_hooks(conn: sqlite3.Connection):