diff --git a/app/main.py b/app/main.py
index 3263077..ffb3cce 100644
--- a/app/main.py
+++ b/app/main.py
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ async function load() {
 let membersData = [];
 let modelsData = [];
 let currentView = 'members';
-let memberSort = { key: 'email', dir: 1 };
+let memberSort = { key: 'spend', dir: -1 };  // leaderboard default: most spend first
 let modelSort = { key: 'spend', dir: -1 };
 let rangeDays = 0; // 0 = all time
 let memberMode = 'balance'; // 'balance' | 'all' — Members view: current-balance figures vs all-time spend