diff --git a/backend/config.py b/backend/config.py
index 60d0c563c..4dde80eda 100644
--- a/backend/config.py
+++ b/backend/config.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ class Config(Base):
     updated_at = Column(DateTime, nullable=True, onupdate=func.now())
 
 
-def load_initial_config():
+def load_json_config():
     with open(f"{DATA_DIR}/config.json", "r") as file:
         return json.load(file)
 
@@ -107,12 +107,14 @@ def save_to_db(data):
             db.add(new_config)
         else:
             existing_config.data = data
+            existing_config.updated_at = datetime.now()
+            db.add(existing_config)
         db.commit()
 
 
 # When initializing, check if config.json exists and migrate it to the database
 if os.path.exists(f"{DATA_DIR}/config.json"):
-    data = load_initial_config()
+    data = load_json_config()
     save_to_db(data)
     os.rename(f"{DATA_DIR}/config.json", f"{DATA_DIR}/old_config.json")
 
@@ -125,6 +127,15 @@ def save_config():
         log.exception(e)
 
 
+def get_config():
+    with get_db() as db:
+        config_entry = db.query(Config).order_by(Config.id.desc()).first()
+        return config_entry.data if config_entry else {}
+
+
+CONFIG_DATA = get_config()
+
+
 def get_config_value(config_path: str):
     path_parts = config_path.split(".")
     cur_config = CONFIG_DATA
@@ -144,7 +155,7 @@ class PersistentConfig(Generic[T]):
         self.env_name = env_name
         self.config_path = config_path
         self.env_value = env_value
-        self.config_value = self.load_latest_config_value(config_path)
+        self.config_value = get_config_value(config_path)
         if self.config_value is not None:
             log.info(f"'{env_name}' loaded from the latest database entry")
             self.value = self.config_value
@@ -154,43 +165,29 @@ class PersistentConfig(Generic[T]):
     def __str__(self):
         return str(self.value)
 
-    def load_latest_config_value(self, config_path: str):
-        with get_db() as db:
-            config_entry = db.query(Config).order_by(Config.id.desc()).first()
-            if config_entry:
-                try:
-                    path_parts = config_path.split(".")
-                    config_value = config_entry.data
-                    for key in path_parts:
-                        config_value = config_value[key]
-                    return config_value
-                except KeyError:
-                    return None
+    @property
+    def __dict__(self):
+        raise TypeError(
+            "PersistentConfig object cannot be converted to dict, use config_get or .value instead."
+        )
+
+    def __getattribute__(self, item):
+        if item == "__dict__":
+            raise TypeError(
+                "PersistentConfig object cannot be converted to dict, use config_get or .value instead."
+            )
+        return super().__getattribute__(item)
 
     def save(self):
-        if self.env_value == self.value and self.config_value == self.value:
-            return
         log.info(f"Saving '{self.env_name}' to the database")
         path_parts = self.config_path.split(".")
-        with get_db() as db:
-            existing_config = db.query(Config).first()
-            if existing_config:
-                config = existing_config.data
-                for key in path_parts[:-1]:
-                    if key not in config:
-                        config[key] = {}
-                    config = config[key]
-                config[path_parts[-1]] = self.value
-            else:  # This case should not actually occur as there should always be at least one entry
-                new_data = {}
-                config = new_data
-                for key in path_parts[:-1]:
-                    config[key] = {}
-                    config = config[key]
-                config[path_parts[-1]] = self.value
-                new_config = Config(data=new_data, version=0)
-                db.add(new_config)
-            db.commit()
+        sub_config = CONFIG_DATA
+        for key in path_parts[:-1]:
+            if key not in sub_config:
+                sub_config[key] = {}
+            sub_config = sub_config[key]
+        sub_config[path_parts[-1]] = self.value
+        save_to_db(CONFIG_DATA)
         self.config_value = self.value