diff --git a/backend/db/schema/projects.ts b/backend/db/schema/projects.ts
index badf583..fdb0453 100644
--- a/backend/db/schema/projects.ts
+++ b/backend/db/schema/projects.ts
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ export const projects = pgTable("projects", {
     updatedAt: timestamp("updated_at", { withTimezone: true }),
     updatedBy: uuid("updated_by").references(() => authUsers.id),
 
-    active_phase: text("active_phase"),
+    active_phase: text("active_phase").default("Erstkontakt"),
 })
 
 export type Project = typeof projects.$inferSelect