diff --git a/mempalace/mcp_server.py b/mempalace/mcp_server.py
index 2ff13b3..7956369 100644
--- a/mempalace/mcp_server.py
+++ b/mempalace/mcp_server.py
@@ -53,7 +53,10 @@ if _args.palace:
     os.environ["MEMPALACE_PALACE_PATH"] = os.path.abspath(_args.palace)
 
 _config = MempalaceConfig()
-_kg = KnowledgeGraph(db_path=os.path.join(_config.palace_path, "knowledge_graph.sqlite3"))
+if _args.palace:
+    _kg = KnowledgeGraph(db_path=os.path.join(_config.palace_path, "knowledge_graph.sqlite3"))
+else:
+    _kg = KnowledgeGraph()
 
 
 def _get_collection(create=False):