diff --git a/server/src/storage/db.ts b/server/src/storage/db.ts
index 2f0fcde4..cdd84655 100644
--- a/server/src/storage/db.ts
+++ b/server/src/storage/db.ts
@@ -29,7 +29,13 @@ export const connectDB = async () => {
 export const syncDB = async () => {
     try {
         //setupAssociations();
-        await sequelize.sync({ force: false });  // force: true will drop and recreate tables on every run
+        const isDevelopment = process.env.NODE_ENV === 'development';
+        // force: true will drop and recreate tables on every run
+        // Use `alter: true` only in development mode
+        await sequelize.sync({ 
+            force: false, 
+            alter: isDevelopment 
+        }); 
         console.log('Database synced successfully!');
     } catch (error) {
         console.error('Failed to sync database:', error);