diff --git a/handlers/profile.go b/handlers/profile.go
index 02c796f..407c3dc 100644
--- a/handlers/profile.go
+++ b/handlers/profile.go
@@ -72,9 +72,9 @@ func UpdateProfile(db *gorm.DB, storagePath string) gin.HandlerFunc {
 		}
 
 		// --- Text fields ---
-		if v := c.PostForm("display_name"); v != "" {
-			user.DisplayName = v
-		}
+		// Allow empty display_name (user can clear it to fall back to username)
+		user.DisplayName = strings.TrimSpace(c.PostForm("display_name"))
+
 		if v := c.PostForm("gender"); v != "" {
 			user.Gender = v
 		}