diff --git a/cmd/node/main.go b/cmd/node/main.go
index 4429063..fbd8fba 100644
--- a/cmd/node/main.go
+++ b/cmd/node/main.go
@@ -85,9 +85,30 @@ func main() {
 	cfg.Database.RQLiteRaftPort = 4002
 
 	if isBootstrap {
-		// Bootstrap node doesn't join anyone - it starts the cluster
-		cfg.Database.RQLiteJoinAddress = ""
-		logger.Printf("Bootstrap node - starting new RQLite cluster")
+		// Check if this is the primary bootstrap node (first in list) or secondary
+		bootstrapPeers := constants.GetBootstrapPeers()
+		isSecondaryBootstrap := false
+		if len(bootstrapPeers) > 1 {
+			// Check if this machine matches any bootstrap peer other than the first
+			for i := 1; i < len(bootstrapPeers); i++ {
+				host := parseHostFromMultiaddr(bootstrapPeers[i])
+				if host != "" && isLocalIP(host) {
+					isSecondaryBootstrap = true
+					break
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		
+		if isSecondaryBootstrap {
+			// Secondary bootstrap nodes join the primary bootstrap
+			primaryBootstrapHost := parseHostFromMultiaddr(bootstrapPeers[0])
+			cfg.Database.RQLiteJoinAddress = fmt.Sprintf("http://%s:4001", primaryBootstrapHost)
+			logger.Printf("Secondary bootstrap node - joining primary bootstrap at: %s", cfg.Database.RQLiteJoinAddress)
+		} else {
+			// Primary bootstrap node doesn't join anyone - it starts the cluster
+			cfg.Database.RQLiteJoinAddress = ""
+			logger.Printf("Primary bootstrap node - starting new RQLite cluster")
+		}
 	} else {
 		// Configure bootstrap peers for P2P discovery
 		var rqliteJoinAddr string
diff --git a/pkg/database/rqlite.go b/pkg/database/rqlite.go
index 15146d1..2f04a5d 100644
--- a/pkg/database/rqlite.go
+++ b/pkg/database/rqlite.go
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ func (r *RQLiteManager) Start(ctx context.Context) error {
 		"-raft-addr", fmt.Sprintf("localhost:%d", r.config.RQLiteRaftPort),
 	}
 
-	// Add join address if specified (for non-bootstrap nodes)
+	// Add join address if specified (for non-bootstrap or secondary bootstrap nodes)
 	if r.config.RQLiteJoinAddress != "" {
 		args = append(args, "-join", r.config.RQLiteJoinAddress)
 	}