diff --git a/api/src/backend/api/apps.py b/api/src/backend/api/apps.py
index c93ecdcafc..cded272e13 100644
--- a/api/src/backend/api/apps.py
+++ b/api/src/backend/api/apps.py
@@ -35,10 +35,12 @@ class ApiConfig(AppConfig):
         from api.compliance import load_prowler_compliance
 
         # Generate required cryptographic keys if not present, but only if:
-        #   `"manage.py" not in sys.argv`: If an external server (e.g., Gunicorn) is running the app
+        #   `"manage.py" not in sys.argv[0]`: If an external server (e.g., Gunicorn) is running the app
         #   `os.environ.get("RUN_MAIN")`: If it's not a Django command or using `runserver`,
         #                                 only the main process will do it
-        if "manage.py" not in sys.argv or os.environ.get("RUN_MAIN"):
+        if (len(sys.argv) >= 1 and "manage.py" not in sys.argv[0]) or os.environ.get(
+            "RUN_MAIN"
+        ):
             self._ensure_crypto_keys()
 
         # Commands that don't need Neo4j
@@ -51,9 +53,10 @@ class ApiConfig(AppConfig):
             "check_and_fix_socialaccount_sites_migration",
         ]
 
+        # Skip Neo4j initialization during tests or specific Django commands
         if getattr(settings, "TESTING", False) or (
-            "manage.py" in sys.argv
-            and len(sys.argv) > 1
+            len(sys.argv) > 1
+            and "manage.py" in sys.argv[0]
             and sys.argv[1] in SKIP_NEO4J_DJANGO_COMMANDS
         ):
             logger.info(