diff --git a/app.py b/app.py
index 9827875..7b3426c 100644
--- a/app.py
+++ b/app.py
@@ -1717,11 +1717,17 @@ def directus_db_pictures():
 @app.route("/api/directus/db-pictures/design-options", methods=["GET"])
 def directus_db_pictures_design_options():
     token = request.headers.get("Authorization", "")
-    data, status = _directus("GET", "/fields/db_pictures/design", token)
-    if status != 200:
-        return jsonify({"choices": []}), 200
-    choices = (data.get("data") or data).get("meta", {}).get("options", {}).get("choices", [])
-    return jsonify({"choices": choices})
+    FALLBACK = [{"text": "Fall | Draw | Spring | Dream", "value": "fall_draw_spring_dream"}]
+    try:
+        data, status = _directus("GET", "/fields/db_pictures/design", token)
+        if status == 200:
+            field_data = data.get("data") or data
+            choices = field_data.get("meta", {}).get("options", {}).get("choices", [])
+            if choices:
+                return jsonify({"choices": choices})
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"[design-options] Directus fetch failed: {e}")
+    return jsonify({"choices": FALLBACK})
 
 
 @app.route("/api/directus/db-pictures/<pic_id>", methods=["PATCH"])