diff --git a/scripts/services/backend_service.gd b/scripts/services/backend_service.gd
index 17b71ad..e5e58fc 100644
--- a/scripts/services/backend_service.gd
+++ b/scripts/services/backend_service.gd
@@ -65,12 +65,12 @@ func _initialize_steamworks_for_auth() -> void:
 		push_error("BackendService: Failed to load Steamworks manager")
 
 func _initialize_nakama() -> void:
-	nakama_backend = NakamaManager
+	nakama_backend = get_node_or_null("/root/NakamaManager")
 	if nakama_backend:
 		_connect_nakama_signals()
 		print("BackendService: Initialized Nakama backend")
 	else:
-		push_error("BackendService: NakamaManager not found")
+		push_error("BackendService: NakamaManager not found at /root/NakamaManager")
 
 func _connect_nakama_signals() -> void:
 	pass
diff --git a/scripts/ui/leaderboard_panel.gd b/scripts/ui/leaderboard_panel.gd
index 0ac9978..e6292c7 100644
--- a/scripts/ui/leaderboard_panel.gd
+++ b/scripts/ui/leaderboard_panel.gd
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ func show_panel() -> void:
 	show()
 	status_label.text = "Syncing scores..."
 	# Bulk-sync all users' storage stats to native leaderboard (server-side operation)
-	if NakamaManager.session:
+	if NakamaManager.get("session"):
 		var sync_result = await BackendService.sync_leaderboard()
 		if sync_result.get("success", false) == false:
 			push_error("[Leaderboard] sync_leaderboard RPC failed: " + str(sync_result.get("error", "")))
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ func _on_close_pressed() -> void:
 # Data
 # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 func _fetch_leaderboard_data() -> void:
-	if not NakamaManager.session:
+	if not NakamaManager.get("session"):
 		status_label.text = "Not connected to Nakama"
 		return
 
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ func _fetch_leaderboard_data() -> void:
 func _fetch_native_leaderboard() -> Array:
 	"""Use the Nakama client API to list native leaderboard records directly."""
 	var result = await NakamaManager.client.list_leaderboard_records_async(
-		NakamaManager.session,
+		NakamaManager.get("session"),
 		"global_high_score",
 		[], # no specific owner filter
 		null, # expiry = null (no filter)
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ func _fetch_native_leaderboard() -> Array:
 			var parsed = JSON.parse_string(record.metadata)
 			if parsed is Dictionary:
 				meta = parsed
-				if record.owner_id == NakamaManager.session.user_id:
+				if record.owner_id == NakamaManager.get("session").user_id:
 					print("[Leaderboard] Local player meta: ", meta)
 
 		data.append({
@@ -177,9 +177,9 @@ func _calculate_win_rates() -> void:
 		entry["win_rate"] = float(won) / float(played) * 100.0 if played > 0 else 0.0
 
 func _apply_local_overrides(data: Array) -> void:
-	if not NakamaManager.session:
+	if not NakamaManager.get("session"):
 		return
-	var my_id = NakamaManager.session.user_id
+	var my_id = NakamaManager.get("session").user_id
 	for entry in data:
 		if entry.get("user_id") == my_id:
 			entry["display_name"] = UserProfileManager.get_display_name(entry.get("display_name", "Unknown"))