diff --git a/config/runtime.exs b/config/runtime.exs
index e8f971c2..05f5210e 100644
--- a/config/runtime.exs
+++ b/config/runtime.exs
@@ -464,6 +464,17 @@ if config_env() == :prod do
     queues: oban_queues
 
   config :microwaveprop, Oban, plugins: oban_plugins
+
+  # Oban's leader peer runs all leader-only plugins (Cron, Pruner's
+  # rescue, etc.) on whichever node wins election. All `app=prop` pods
+  # share the libcluster selector, so without intervention a backfill
+  # pod can win — and its empty crontab means *no* crons fire until
+  # the next leader rotation. Disabling peer participation on backfill
+  # pods makes only hot pods eligible, which is what we actually want.
+  if prop_role == "backfill" do
+    config :microwaveprop, Oban, peer: false
+  end
+
   config :microwaveprop, :email_from, {"NTMS Propagation", "prop@w5isp.com"}
 
   # Disable the PromEx Oban queue-depth poller in prod. Its 5 s