diff --git a/mermaids.sh b/mermaids.sh
index a02357f..0db1129 100644
--- a/mermaids.sh
+++ b/mermaids.sh
@@ -82,10 +82,10 @@ fi
 # === 1. Create LXC Container ===
 log "Creating Debian 12 LXC container $LXC_ID ($LXC_HOSTNAME)..."
 
-# Build network config safely
+# Build NET_CONFIG safely BEFORE pct create
 if [[ -n "$LXC_IP" ]]; then
   if [[ -z "$LXC_GATEWAY" ]]; then
-    warn "Static IP provided but no gateway — using DHCP for gateway resolution"
+    warn "IP provided but no gateway — falling back to DHCP"
     NET_CONFIG="dhcp=1"
   else
     NET_CONFIG="ip=$LXC_IP/$LXC_NETMASK,gw=$LXC_GATEWAY"
@@ -94,7 +94,6 @@ else
   NET_CONFIG="dhcp=1"
 fi
 
-# Use NET_CONFIG in pct create
 pct create $LXC_ID $LXC_TEMPLATE \
   -hostname "$LXC_HOSTNAME" \
   -memory "$LXC_MEMORY" \