diff --git a/src/mcpd/src/services/backup/restore-service.ts b/src/mcpd/src/services/backup/restore-service.ts
index a1b82cb..683c1cc 100644
--- a/src/mcpd/src/services/backup/restore-service.ts
+++ b/src/mcpd/src/services/backup/restore-service.ts
@@ -270,10 +270,20 @@ export class RestoreService {
           continue;
         }
 
+        // Resolve a valid owner — prefer system user, fall back to first user
+        let ownerId = '';
+        if (this.userRepo) {
+          const allUsers = await this.userRepo.findAll();
+          for (const u of allUsers) {
+            if (u.email === 'system@mcpctl.local') { ownerId = u.id; break; }
+            if (!ownerId) ownerId = u.id;
+          }
+        }
+
         const projectCreateData: { name: string; description: string; ownerId: string; proxyModel?: string; llmProvider?: string; llmModel?: string } = {
           name: project.name,
           description: project.description,
-          ownerId: 'system',
+          ownerId,
         };
         if (project.proxyModel) projectCreateData.proxyModel = project.proxyModel;
         if (project.llmProvider != null) projectCreateData.llmProvider = project.llmProvider;