diff --git a/apps/api/src/middleware/rbac.ts b/apps/api/src/middleware/rbac.ts
index d5e764e..9075ee9 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/middleware/rbac.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/middleware/rbac.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import type { MiddlewareHandler } from "hono";
-import { eq, getDb, staff } from "@groombook/db";
+import { isNull } from "drizzle-orm";
+import { and, eq, getDb, staff } from "@groombook/db";
 
 export type StaffRole = "groomer" | "receptionist" | "manager";
 export type StaffRow = typeof staff.$inferSelect;
@@ -89,6 +90,25 @@ export const resolveStaffMiddleware: MiddlewareHandler<AppEnv> = async (
     .from(staff)
     .where(eq(staff.oidcSub, jwt.sub));
   if (!fallbackRow) {
+    // Auto-link: staff record exists with matching email but no userId — link it now
+    if (jwt.email) {
+      const [linkedStaff] = await db
+        .select()
+        .from(staff)
+        .where(and(eq(staff.email, jwt.email), isNull(staff.userId)));
+      if (linkedStaff) {
+        await db
+          .update(staff)
+          .set({ userId: jwt.sub })
+          .where(eq(staff.id, linkedStaff.id));
+        console.log(
+          `[rbac] Auto-linked staff ${linkedStaff.id} to Better-Auth user ${jwt.sub} via email ${jwt.email}`
+        );
+        c.set("staff", linkedStaff);
+        await next();
+        return;
+      }
+    }
     return c.json(
       { error: "Forbidden: no staff record found for authenticated user" },
       403