diff --git a/server/middleware/auth.js b/server/middleware/auth.js
index 6eaba58..d4a17e8 100644
--- a/server/middleware/auth.js
+++ b/server/middleware/auth.js
@@ -71,9 +71,9 @@ async function authenticateToken(req, res, next) {
     next();
   } catch (error) {
     console.error('Token verification error:', error);
-    return res.status(403).json({
+    return res.status(401).json({
       success: false,
-      message: 'Invalid or expired token'
+      message: 'Invalid token'
     });
   }
 }
diff --git a/server/tests/middleware/auth.test.js b/server/tests/middleware/auth.test.js
index 772cd82..5332fcc 100644
--- a/server/tests/middleware/auth.test.js
+++ b/server/tests/middleware/auth.test.js
@@ -88,6 +88,8 @@ describe('Authentication Middleware', () => {
 
     it('should accept valid JWT token and set user data', async () => {
       const user = await createTestUser({ username: 'testuser', role: 'admin' });
+      console.log('Created user:', user.toJSON()); // Debug log
+      
       const token = jwt.sign(
         { 
           userId: user.id,