diff --git a/core/engine.py b/core/engine.py
index d076b7f..62c1ede 100644
--- a/core/engine.py
+++ b/core/engine.py
@@ -192,11 +192,18 @@ def _module_runner(module_class: Type[BaseModule], bus_queue: multiprocessing.Qu
 
     try:
         module.start()
+        # start() is non-blocking — keep subprocess alive while module threads run
+        while module._running:
+            time.sleep(1)
     except Exception:
         logger.exception("Module %s crashed in start()", module.name)
         bus_proxy.emit("MODULE_ERROR", {"module": module.name, "error": "start_crash"},
                        source_module=module.name)
     finally:
+        try:
+            module.stop()
+        except Exception:
+            pass
         state.stop()
 
 
@@ -357,9 +364,11 @@ class Engine:
                 self.capture_bus = None
         
         # Inject capture_bus into module configs for passive modules
+        # Some modules use "capture_bus", others "_capture_bus" — inject both
         for name, entry in self._modules.items():
             if getattr(entry.module_class, "requires_capture_bus", False):
                 entry.config["capture_bus"] = self.capture_bus
+                entry.config["_capture_bus"] = self.capture_bus
         
         results = {}
         for name in order:
diff --git a/modules/stealth/mac_manager.py b/modules/stealth/mac_manager.py
index 838484c..dd61ada 100644
--- a/modules/stealth/mac_manager.py
+++ b/modules/stealth/mac_manager.py
@@ -210,6 +210,9 @@ class MacManager(BaseModule):
             if rows:
                 return dict(random.choice(rows))
             return None
+        except sqlite3.OperationalError:
+            logger.warning("mac_profiles table missing — DB not seeded, using fallback")
+            return None
         finally:
             conn.close()