diff --git a/server/dbconnection.ts b/server/dbconnection.ts
index 479b693c..50569b3a 100644
--- a/server/dbconnection.ts
+++ b/server/dbconnection.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ export const initialize = async (connectionString: string): Promise<void> => {
   await mongoClient.connect();
   const db = mongoClient.db();
   await db.command({ ping: 1 });
+  const users = db.collection<User>("users");
+  // Ensure we can read from users
+  await users.findOne();
   console.log("Connected successfully to database.");
   return;
 };