diff --git a/src/server/fastapi_app.py b/src/server/fastapi_app.py
index 02c9157..bd0cdd0 100644
--- a/src/server/fastapi_app.py
+++ b/src/server/fastapi_app.py
@@ -286,6 +286,11 @@ async def lifespan(_application: FastAPI):
         except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError) as e:
             logger.warning("Failed to initialize services: %s", e)
             # Continue startup - services can be initialized later
+        except Exception as e:  # includes HTTPException from get_anime_service
+            logger.warning(
+                "Failed to initialize services (anime directory may not exist): %s", e
+            )
+            # Continue startup - services can be configured/initialized later
 
         logger.info("FastAPI application started successfully")
         logger.info("Server running on http://127.0.0.1:8000")
diff --git a/src/server/utils/dependencies.py b/src/server/utils/dependencies.py
index f6dafe3..d7be2cb 100644
--- a/src/server/utils/dependencies.py
+++ b/src/server/utils/dependencies.py
@@ -125,6 +125,14 @@ def get_series_app() -> SeriesApp:
                     import tempfile
                     anime_dir = tempfile.gettempdir()
                     settings.anime_directory = anime_dir
+                else:
+                    raise HTTPException(
+                        status_code=status.HTTP_503_SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE,
+                        detail=(
+                            f"Anime directory does not exist: {anime_dir}. "
+                            "Please configure a valid path."
+                        ),
+                    )
 
             _series_app = SeriesApp(anime_dir)
         except Exception as e: