diff --git a/packages/jobs/src/worker.test.ts b/packages/jobs/src/worker.test.ts
index 893e238..76a3020 100644
--- a/packages/jobs/src/worker.test.ts
+++ b/packages/jobs/src/worker.test.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ function createMockBoss() {
   return {
     start: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
     stop: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
+    createQueue: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
     schedule: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
     work: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue("worker-id"),
   };
@@ -22,6 +23,16 @@ describe("startWorker", () => {
     expect(boss.start).toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
+  it("creates queues before registering handlers", async () => {
+    const boss = createMockBoss();
+    const jobs: JobDefinition[] = [{ name: "test-job", handler: vi.fn() }];
+
+    await startWorker(boss as never, jobs);
+
+    expect(boss.createQueue).toHaveBeenCalledWith("test-job");
+    expect(boss.createQueue).toHaveBeenCalledBefore(boss.work);
+  });
+
   it("registers job handlers", async () => {
     const boss = createMockBoss();
     const handler = vi.fn();
diff --git a/packages/jobs/src/worker.ts b/packages/jobs/src/worker.ts
index 63a90c2..ee56806 100644
--- a/packages/jobs/src/worker.ts
+++ b/packages/jobs/src/worker.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ export async function startWorker(
   await boss.start();
 
   for (const job of jobs) {
+    await boss.createQueue(job.name);
+
     if (job.cron) {
       await boss.schedule(job.name, job.cron, undefined, {
         retryLimit: job.retryLimit,