diff --git a/mcp_server/src/graphiti_mcp_server.py b/mcp_server/src/graphiti_mcp_server.py
index 833bc5d93..bb802b06c 100644
--- a/mcp_server/src/graphiti_mcp_server.py
+++ b/mcp_server/src/graphiti_mcp_server.py
@@ -278,8 +278,18 @@ async def initialize(self) -> None:
                 # Re-raise other errors
                 raise
 
-            # Build indices
-            await self.client.build_indices_and_constraints()
+            # Build indices - wrap in try/except to handle Neo4j 5.x race condition
+            # with parallel IF NOT EXISTS index creation
+            try:
+                await self.client.build_indices_and_constraints()
+            except Exception as idx_error:
+                if 'EquivalentSchemaRuleAlreadyExists' in str(idx_error):
+                    logger.warning(
+                        'Index creation race condition detected (Neo4j 5.x issue). '
+                        'Indexes likely already exist. Continuing...'
+                    )
+                else:
+                    raise
 
             logger.info('Successfully initialized Graphiti client')