diff --git a/client/components/onboarding/Welcome.tsx b/client/components/onboarding/Welcome.tsx
index b161d011..24562c43 100644
--- a/client/components/onboarding/Welcome.tsx
+++ b/client/components/onboarding/Welcome.tsx
@@ -509,7 +509,7 @@ export default function Welcome({
           className="bg-aethex-500/20 text-aethex-100 border border-aethex-500/40"
         >
           <Link
-            to="/dashboard?tab=connections"
+            to={user ? "/dashboard?tab=connections" : `/login?next=${encodeURIComponent('/dashboard?tab=connections')}`}
             className="flex items-center gap-2"
           >
             <ShieldCheck className="h-4 w-4" />