diff --git a/backend/app/pipeline.py b/backend/app/pipeline.py
index 1ae1ff6..d9766ae 100644
--- a/backend/app/pipeline.py
+++ b/backend/app/pipeline.py
@@ -391,6 +391,9 @@ def _process_article(article: dict[str, Any], stats: PipelineStats, settings: An
         except Exception as exc:
             logger.error("Draft-Erstellung für #%d fehlgeschlagen: %s", article_id, exc)
             update_article_status(article_id, "error", actor="pipeline", note=f"Draft-Fehler: {exc}")
+            # Release reserved slot so it's not permanently blocked by a failed article
+            from .scheduler import release_publish_slot
+            release_publish_slot(article_id)
             raise
 
 
diff --git a/backend/app/scheduler.py b/backend/app/scheduler.py
index 0ec38d8..ff5cecf 100644
--- a/backend/app/scheduler.py
+++ b/backend/app/scheduler.py
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ def _fetch_wp_occupied_slots() -> set[tuple[str, int]]:
     settings = get_settings()
     try:
         auth = base64.b64encode(
-            f"{settings.wordpress_username}:{settings.wordpress_password}".encode()
+            f"{settings.wordpress_username}:{settings.wordpress_app_password}".encode()
         ).decode()
         url = (
             f"{settings.wordpress_base_url}/wp-json/wp/v2/posts"