diff --git a/app/app.py b/app/app.py
index 73dc8d7..785adb7 100644
--- a/app/app.py
+++ b/app/app.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from werkzeug.security import generate_password_hash, check_password_hash
 from flask_login import (LoginManager, login_user, login_required, logout_user, current_user)
 from misc import datetime, date, time, currDay, prevDay, ZoneInfo, currVersion, currCommit
 from db import (db, Period, Task, Event, User)
+from sqlalchemy import inspect
 from forms import (TaskForm, EventForm, PeriodForm, SignupForm, LoginForm, SettingsForm)
 from create_events import createEvents
 from log import appLogger
@@ -82,9 +83,22 @@ def podStatus():
         return blankPage, 500
 
 # Index route
-@app.route('/')
+@app.route('/', methods=['GET', 'POST'])
 def index():
-    return redirect('/events')
+    # Check for empty database, go to setup page if not setup
+    global tablesSetup
+    required_tables = ['period', 'task', 'event', 'user']
+    inspector = inspect(db.engine)
+    tables = inspector.get_table_names()
+    tablesSetup = all(table in tables for table in required_tables)
+    if not tablesSetup:
+        # Initial setup page, should only appear if database is ready but not set up
+        db.create_all()
+        logger.info('DB initialized on first run')
+        return redirect(url_for('createAccount'))
+    # Otherwise, redirect to /events
+    else:
+        return redirect('/events')
 
 # Authentication routes
 @app.route('/login', methods=['GET', 'POST'])
@@ -125,7 +139,7 @@ def createAccount():
             return redirect(url_for('login'))
         return render_template('createAccount.html', form=form)
     else:
-        return 'Account creation is currently disabled'
+        return 'Account creation is currently disabled. <br> Set env var SIGNUP_ENABLED=YES to enable account creation'
 @app.route('/logout')
 @login_required
 def logout():