diff --git a/apps/admin/data/fitai.db b/apps/admin/data/fitai.db
index 4ffef65..38a0ab3 100644
Binary files a/apps/admin/data/fitai.db and b/apps/admin/data/fitai.db differ
diff --git a/apps/admin/src/app/api/users/route.ts b/apps/admin/src/app/api/users/route.ts
index 832b00d..f5e9f54 100644
--- a/apps/admin/src/app/api/users/route.ts
+++ b/apps/admin/src/app/api/users/route.ts
@@ -387,24 +387,27 @@ export async function PUT(request: NextRequest) {
 
     // Update Clerk publicMetadata (role/gymId) to propagate via webhook
     // Note: Only update metadata when a change is requested
-    try {
-      const client = await clerkClient();
-      const publicMetadata: Record<string, unknown> = {};
-      log.debug("Preparing Clerk metadata update", {
-        targetUserId: id,
-        role,
-        gymId,
-      });
+    const client = await clerkClient();
+    const publicMetadata: Record<string, unknown> = {};
+    log.debug("Preparing Clerk metadata update", {
+      targetUserId: id,
+      role,
+      gymId,
+    });
 
-      if (role) {
-        publicMetadata.role = role;
-      }
-      if (gymId !== undefined) {
-        publicMetadata.gymId = gymId === null ? null : String(gymId);
-      }
+    if (role) {
+      publicMetadata.role = role;
+    }
+    if (gymId !== undefined) {
+      publicMetadata.gymId = gymId === null ? null : String(gymId);
+    }
+
+    if (Object.keys(publicMetadata).length > 0) {
+      log.debug("Updating Clerk user metadata", { publicMetadata });
+      try {
+        // Check if user exists in Clerk first
+        await client.users.getUser(id);
 
-      if (Object.keys(publicMetadata).length > 0) {
-        log.debug("Updating Clerk user metadata", { publicMetadata });
         const clerkResult = await client.users.updateUser(id, {
           publicMetadata,
         });
@@ -413,14 +416,20 @@ export async function PUT(request: NextRequest) {
           role: clerkResult.publicMetadata?.role,
           gymId: clerkResult.publicMetadata?.gymId,
         });
-      } else {
-        log.debug("No Clerk metadata changes requested");
+      } catch (clerkErr: any) {
+        // User might not exist in Clerk yet - that's OK for local users
+        if (
+          clerkErr?.status === 404 ||
+          clerkErr?.errors?.[0]?.code === "resource_not_found"
+        ) {
+          log.debug(
+            "User not found in Clerk, skipping metadata update (local-only user)",
+          );
+        } else {
+          log.error("Clerk metadata update failed", clerkErr, { userId: id });
+          // Don't fail the whole request - local DB update can still proceed
+        }
       }
-    } catch (clerkErr: any) {
-      log.error("Clerk metadata update failed", clerkErr, { userId: id });
-      return internalErrorResponse(
-        "Failed to update role/gym in identity provider",
-      );
     }
 
     // Update local DB for immediate UI feedback (webhook will also sync)
diff --git a/apps/admin/src/components/users/CreateUserModal.tsx b/apps/admin/src/components/users/CreateUserModal.tsx
index 8bab871..20eeba5 100644
--- a/apps/admin/src/components/users/CreateUserModal.tsx
+++ b/apps/admin/src/components/users/CreateUserModal.tsx
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import {
   type InvitationOptionsData,
 } from "@/lib/validation/user-schemas";
 import { ChevronLeft, ChevronRight, Check } from "lucide-react";
+import { useGyms } from "@/hooks/use-api";
 
 interface CreateUserModalProps {
   open: boolean;
@@ -45,6 +46,7 @@ export function CreateUserModal({
   const [basicInfo, setBasicInfo] = useState<BasicInfoData | null>(null);
   const [clientInfo, setClientInfo] = useState<ClientInfoData | null>(null);
   const [isSubmitting, setIsSubmitting] = useState(false);
+  const { data: gyms = [] } = useGyms();
 
   // Step 1: Role Selection Form
   const roleForm = useForm<RoleSelectionData>({
diff --git a/apps/admin/src/hooks/use-api.ts b/apps/admin/src/hooks/use-api.ts
index 287eab0..3cead9c 100644
--- a/apps/admin/src/hooks/use-api.ts
+++ b/apps/admin/src/hooks/use-api.ts
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ export function useGyms() {
     queryKey: ["gyms"],
     queryFn: () =>
       fetchApi<{ data: { gyms: Gym[] } }>("/api/gyms").then(
-        (res) => res.data?.gyms ?? [],
+        (res) => res.data?.gyms ?? (Array.isArray(res) ? res : []),
       ),
   });
 }