diff --git a/backend/run.py b/backend/run.py
index da52232d..1e2c9b3c 100755
--- a/backend/run.py
+++ b/backend/run.py
@@ -47,8 +47,7 @@ quart_app = asgi_app.quart_app
 
 # Initialize database on startup
 async def initialize_database():
-    # Create default user if it doesn't exist
-    await User.create_default_user()
+    pass  # Default user creation removed (security: use populate_db.py script instead)
 
 # Use the ASGI app for the server
 app = asgi_app