diff --git a/scripts/start-web.sh b/scripts/start-web.sh
index a8c2735..39d6039 100644
--- a/scripts/start-web.sh
+++ b/scripts/start-web.sh
@@ -26,8 +26,12 @@ echo "[start-web] prisma migrate deploy"
 bunx prisma migrate deploy
 
 # Seed Better Auth users safely (ensure-only by default)
-echo "[start-web] seeding Better Auth users (ensure-only)"
-bun run auth:seed || true
+if [ "${SKIP_AUTH_SEED:-false}" != "true" ]; then
+  echo "[start-web] seeding Better Auth users (ensure-only)"
+  bun run auth:seed || true
+else
+  echo "[start-web] skipping auth seed (SKIP_AUTH_SEED=true)"
+fi
 
 echo "[start-web] launching Next.js"
 exec bun run start -- --port 3000