diff --git a/luckychit/lib/core/services/api_service.dart b/luckychit/lib/core/services/api_service.dart
index 3916f9a..3d92a2b 100644
--- a/luckychit/lib/core/services/api_service.dart
+++ b/luckychit/lib/core/services/api_service.dart
@@ -41,9 +41,17 @@ static const String tokenKey = 'auth_token';
       onError: (error, handler) {
         print('❌ [ApiService] Error: ${error.response?.statusCode} - ${error.message}');
         if (error.response?.statusCode == 401) {
-          print('❌ [ApiService] 401 Unauthorized - Clearing token');
-          // Token expired or invalid
-          _clearToken();
+          print('❌ [ApiService] 401 Unauthorized detected');
+          // Only clear token if the error message indicates token is expired/invalid
+          final errorMessage = error.response?.data?['message']?.toString() ?? '';
+          if (errorMessage.contains('Token expired') || 
+              errorMessage.contains('Invalid token') ||
+              errorMessage.contains('Authentication required')) {
+            print('❌ [ApiService] Token is invalid/expired - Clearing token');
+            _clearToken();
+          } else {
+            print('⚠️ [ApiService] 401 but token might be valid - NOT clearing (backend issue?)');
+          }
         }
         handler.next(error);
       },