diff --git a/src/modules/host/services/host.service.ts b/src/modules/host/services/host.service.ts
index b6b5682..e2e2097 100644
--- a/src/modules/host/services/host.service.ts
+++ b/src/modules/host/services/host.service.ts
@@ -53,7 +53,9 @@ export class HostService {
     });
 
     if (!host) {
-      throw new ApiError(404, 'Host record not found.');
+      // If host record doesn't exist yet, return stepper 1 (NOT_SUBMITTED)
+      // so callers (like the stepper endpoint) can show initial step.
+      return { stepper: STEPPER.NOT_SUBMITTED } as any;
     }
 
     return host;