diff --git a/includes/class-twp-core.php b/includes/class-twp-core.php
index 99d0b01..475b5ad 100644
--- a/includes/class-twp-core.php
+++ b/includes/class-twp-core.php
@@ -29,7 +29,12 @@ class TWP_Core {
     private function load_dependencies() {
         // Loader class
         require_once TWP_PLUGIN_DIR . 'includes/class-twp-loader.php';
-        
+
+        // Activator (defines TWP_Activator). Loaded here so runtime callers in
+        // webhook/REST/cron contexts can use ::ensure_tables_exist() and
+        // ::force_table_updates() without each site needing its own require_once.
+        require_once TWP_PLUGIN_DIR . 'includes/class-twp-activator.php';
+
         // API classes
         require_once TWP_PLUGIN_DIR . 'includes/class-twp-twilio-api.php';
         require_once TWP_PLUGIN_DIR . 'includes/class-twp-elevenlabs-api.php';