diff --git a/src/components/NostrSync.tsx b/src/components/NostrSync.tsx
index 1776e07..6d97f6c 100644
--- a/src/components/NostrSync.tsx
+++ b/src/components/NostrSync.tsx
@@ -215,11 +215,17 @@ export function NostrSync() {
       } else {
         syncState.current.set(pubkey, false);
         console.error('[NostrSync] All attempts failed for', pubkey.slice(0, 8));
-        toast({
-          title: 'Could not load profile',
-          description: 'Check your internet connection and try refreshing.',
-          variant: 'destructive',
-        });
+        // Don't show error toast if profile simply doesn't exist yet —
+        // it's a new account, not a connection error
+        if (!profileSynced) {
+          console.log('[NostrSync] No profile found — may be a new account');
+        } else {
+          toast({
+            title: 'Could not load profile',
+            description: 'Check your internet connection and try refreshing.',
+            variant: 'destructive',
+          });
+        }
       }
     }
   }