diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index a88ba22de..bb70bc29a 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -627,7 +627,7 @@ _auto-port-forward: ## Internal: Auto-start port forwarding on macOS with Podman
 		echo ""; \
 		echo "$(COLOR_BLUE)▶$(COLOR_RESET) Starting port forwarding in background..."; \
 		echo "  Waiting for services to be ready..."; \
-		kubectl wait --for=condition=ready pod -l app=backend -n $(NAMESPACE) --timeout=60s 2>/dev/null || true; \
+		kubectl wait --for=condition=ready pod -l app=backend-api -n $(NAMESPACE) --timeout=60s 2>/dev/null || true; \
 		kubectl wait --for=condition=ready pod -l app=frontend -n $(NAMESPACE) --timeout=60s 2>/dev/null || true; \
 		mkdir -p /tmp/ambient-code; \
 		kubectl port-forward -n $(NAMESPACE) svc/backend-service 8080:8080 > /tmp/ambient-code/port-forward-backend.log 2>&1 & \