diff --git a/backend/internal/db/migrate.go b/backend/internal/db/migrate.go
index 34e077f..abe48d6 100644
--- a/backend/internal/db/migrate.go
+++ b/backend/internal/db/migrate.go
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ func RunMigrations(ctx context.Context, pool *pgxpool.Pool, migrationsFS embed.F
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("migrate: open sql.DB: %w", err)
 	}
+	sqlDB.SetMaxOpenConns(2) // goose runs sequentially — no need for a large pool
 	defer sqlDB.Close()
 
 	// Point goose at the embedded FS so no on-disk files are needed.