diff --git a/linkedin_mcp_server/cli_main.py b/linkedin_mcp_server/cli_main.py
index ca3e9a02..e5241c84 100644
--- a/linkedin_mcp_server/cli_main.py
+++ b/linkedin_mcp_server/cli_main.py
@@ -339,9 +339,10 @@ def main() -> None:
 
         logger.debug(f"Server configuration: {config}")
 
-        # Phase 1: Ensure Authentication is Ready
+        # Phase 1: Ensure Authentication is Ready (skip for OAuth — no cookie profile needed)
         try:
-            ensure_authentication_ready()
+            if not (config.server.oauth and config.server.oauth.enabled):
+                ensure_authentication_ready()
             if config.is_interactive:
                 print("✅ Authentication ready")
             logger.info("Authentication ready")