diff --git a/src/views/OnboardMeetingSetupView.vue b/src/views/OnboardMeetingSetupView.vue
index ea2cf832..4773a2dc 100644
--- a/src/views/OnboardMeetingSetupView.vue
+++ b/src/views/OnboardMeetingSetupView.vue
@@ -444,9 +444,6 @@ export default class OnboardMeetingView extends Vue {
     // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-explicit-any
     this.allMyDids = await (this as any).$getAllAccountDids();
 
-    // Load projects
-    await this.loadProjects();
-
     await this.fetchCurrentMeeting();
 
     // Ensure selected project is loaded if projectLink exists
@@ -525,7 +522,6 @@ export default class OnboardMeetingView extends Vue {
 
   /**
    * Ensure the selected project is loaded if projectLink exists
-   * Checks allProjects first, then fetches if not found
    */
   async ensureSelectedProjectLoaded(): Promise<void> {
     const projectLink =
@@ -537,16 +533,6 @@ export default class OnboardMeetingView extends Vue {
       return;
     }
 
-    // Check if already loaded in allProjects
-    const existingProject = this.allProjects.find(
-      (p) => p.handleId === projectLink,
-    );
-    if (existingProject) {
-      this.selectedProjectData = existingProject;
-      return;
-    }
-
-    // Not in allProjects, fetch it
     await this.fetchProjectByHandleId(projectLink);
   }
 
@@ -991,13 +977,18 @@ export default class OnboardMeetingView extends Vue {
   }
 
   /**
-   * Handle dialog open event - stop auto-refresh in MembersList
+   * Handle dialog open event - stop auto-refresh in MembersList and load projects
    */
-  handleDialogOpen(): void {
+  async handleDialogOpen(): Promise<void> {
     const membersList = this.$refs.membersList as MembersList;
     if (membersList) {
       membersList.stopAutoRefresh();
     }
+
+    // Load projects when dialog opens (if not already loaded)
+    if (this.allProjects.length === 0) {
+      await this.loadProjects();
+    }
   }
 
   /**