diff --git a/migrations/1757326540_settings.go b/migrations/1757326540_settings.go
index 380ccc41e..71f535e62 100644
--- a/migrations/1757326540_settings.go
+++ b/migrations/1757326540_settings.go
@@ -17,7 +17,24 @@ func init() {
 			}
 
 			settings.Meta.AppName = "Primo CMS"
-			app.Save(settings)
+
+			// Enable automatic backups by default so a fresh deploy isn't one
+			// volume wipe away from total data loss. Stored on the pb_data
+			// volume (backups/ dir) — a floor, not off-site protection; wire up
+			// Backups.S3 for that. Env-overridable; only set when unconfigured
+			// so we never clobber a schedule set via the admin UI.
+			if settings.Backups.Cron == "" {
+				cron := os.Getenv("PRIMO_BACKUP_CRON")
+				if cron == "" {
+					cron = "0 3 * * *" // daily at 03:00
+				}
+				settings.Backups.Cron = cron
+				settings.Backups.CronMaxKeep = 7
+			}
+
+			if err := app.Save(settings); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
 
 			superuserEmail := os.Getenv("PRIMO_SUPERUSER_EMAIL")
 			superuserPassword := os.Getenv("PRIMO_SUPERUSER_PASSWORD")