diff --git a/modules/app_sql.py b/modules/app_sql.py
index 9b454b5..f2b5bb9 100644
--- a/modules/app_sql.py
+++ b/modules/app_sql.py
@@ -390,6 +390,11 @@ def refresh_trips(force=False):
             (rebuild_start_id,),
         ).fetchall()
 
+    from modules import app_obd
+    if not app_obd.was_car_ever_connected():
+        # Never connected to the car — preserve existing trips, don't delete them.
+        return conn.execute("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM trips").fetchone()[0]
+
     trips = app_trip.build_trip_summaries(rows)
     with _conn_lock:
         try: