diff --git a/node/gpu_render_endpoints.py b/node/gpu_render_endpoints.py
index 61fb39fae..65e65562d 100644
--- a/node/gpu_render_endpoints.py
+++ b/node/gpu_render_endpoints.py
@@ -225,10 +225,19 @@ def gpu_release():
                 db.rollback()
                 return jsonify({"error": "Job was already processed"}), 409
 
-            # Transfer to provider
-            db.execute("UPDATE balances SET balance_rtc = balance_rtc + ? WHERE miner_pk = ?", (job["amount_rtc"], job["to_wallet"]))
-            db.commit()
-            return jsonify({"ok": True, "status": "released"})
+        # Transfer to provider — verify the provider has a balances row
+        credited = db.execute(
+            "UPDATE balances SET balance_rtc = balance_rtc + ? WHERE miner_pk = ?",
+            (job["amount_rtc"], job["to_wallet"]),
+        )
+        if credited.rowcount != 1:
+            # Provider has no balances row — create one before crediting
+            db.execute(
+                "INSERT INTO balances (miner_pk, balance_rtc) VALUES (?, ?)",
+                (job["to_wallet"], job["amount_rtc"]),
+            )
+        db.commit()
+        return jsonify({"ok": True, "status": "released"})
         except sqlite3.Error as e:
             return jsonify({"error": str(e)}), 500
         finally: