diff --git a/frontend/src/components/layout/Sidebar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/layout/Sidebar.tsx
index d32a38d..eea57cc 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/layout/Sidebar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/layout/Sidebar.tsx
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ export function Sidebar() {
   // Use hasPermission directly — permissions are loaded via useUserPermissions hook
   const canAccess = (perm?: string): boolean => {
     if (!perm) return true;
+    // While permissions are loading, show everything (backend 403 catches errors)
+    if (!user || (user.permissions?.length === 0 && user.is_system_admin === undefined)) return true;
     return hasPermission(perm);
   };