diff --git a/backend/app/api_deployment.py b/backend/app/api_deployment.py
index a501ce6..d53dc4e 100644
--- a/backend/app/api_deployment.py
+++ b/backend/app/api_deployment.py
@@ -54,7 +54,10 @@ def make_router() -> APIRouter:
         ).fetchone()
         if row is None:
             raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Not found")
-        cfg = json.loads(row["config_json"] or "{}")
+        try:
+            cfg = json.loads(row["config_json"] or "{}")
+        except (ValueError, TypeError):
+            cfg = {}
         dep = db.conn().execute("SELECT tagline FROM deployment WHERE id = 1").fetchone()
         return {
             "id": row["id"],
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_api_deployment.py b/backend/tests/test_api_deployment.py
index ce9d3a1..ea72f94 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_api_deployment.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_api_deployment.py
@@ -76,3 +76,22 @@ def test_projects_id_unknown_returns_404_for_anon(app_with_fake_gitea):
     app, _ = app_with_fake_gitea
     with TestClient(app) as client:
         assert client.get("/api/projects/nope").status_code == 404
+
+
+def test_gated_project_visible_and_readable_to_member(app_with_fake_gitea):
+    from app import db
+    app, _ = app_with_fake_gitea
+    with TestClient(app) as client:
+        _add_project("teamx", "Team X", "gated")
+        provision_user_row(user_id=5, login="mia", role="contributor")
+        db.conn().execute(
+            "INSERT INTO project_members (project_id, user_id, role) VALUES ('teamx', 5, 'project_viewer')"
+        )
+        sign_in_as(client, user_id=5, gitea_login="mia", display_name="Mia", role="contributor")
+        # member sees the gated project in the deployment directory
+        ids = {p["id"] for p in client.get("/api/deployment").json()["projects"]}
+        assert "teamx" in ids
+        # member can read it directly
+        r = client.get("/api/projects/teamx")
+        assert r.status_code == 200
+        assert r.json()["id"] == "teamx"