diff --git a/apps/server/src/share/sql.ts b/apps/server/src/share/sql.ts
index 36cca4b5ec..5a127e791f 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/share/sql.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/share/sql.ts
@@ -5,12 +5,14 @@ import dataDir from "../services/data_dir.js";
 import sql_init from "../services/sql_init.js";
 
 let dbConnection!: Database.Database;
+let dbConnectionReady = false;
 
 sql_init.dbReady.then(() => {
     dbConnection = new Database(dataDir.DOCUMENT_PATH, {
         readonly: true,
         nativeBinding: process.env.BETTERSQLITE3_NATIVE_PATH || undefined
     });
+    dbConnectionReady = true;
 
     [`exit`, `SIGINT`, `SIGUSR1`, `SIGUSR2`, `SIGTERM`].forEach((eventType) => {
         process.on(eventType, () => {
@@ -23,18 +25,31 @@ sql_init.dbReady.then(() => {
     });
 });
 
+function assertDbReady(): void {
+    if (!dbConnectionReady) {
+        throw new Error("Share database connection is not yet ready. The application may still be initializing.");
+    }
+}
+
 function getRawRows<T>(query: string, params = []): T[] {
+    assertDbReady();
     return dbConnection.prepare(query).raw().all(params) as T[];
 }
 
 function getRow<T>(query: string, params: string[] = []): T {
+    assertDbReady();
     return dbConnection.prepare(query).get(params) as T;
 }
 
 function getColumn<T>(query: string, params: string[] = []): T[] {
+    assertDbReady();
     return dbConnection.prepare(query).pluck().all(params) as T[];
 }
 
+export function isShareDbReady(): boolean {
+    return dbConnectionReady;
+}
+
 export default {
     getRawRows,
     getRow,