diff --git a/src/profile-fields/profile-fields.service.ts b/src/profile-fields/profile-fields.service.ts
index 38ccf3c..66ab726 100644
--- a/src/profile-fields/profile-fields.service.ts
+++ b/src/profile-fields/profile-fields.service.ts
@@ -134,7 +134,8 @@ export class ProfileFieldsService {
 
     const data: any = { ...updateFieldDto };
 
-    // If slug is explicitly provided, use it; otherwise auto-generate from name
+    // Slug only changes when the admin explicitly edits it — renaming the field never
+    // regenerates the slug, so field value references stay stable.
     if (updateFieldDto.slug) {
       const newSlug = updateFieldDto.slug;
       const existing = await this.prisma.profileField.findFirst({
@@ -150,21 +151,6 @@ export class ProfileFieldsService {
         throw new ConflictException('A field with this slug already exists in this section');
       }
       data.slug = newSlug;
-    } else if (updateFieldDto.name) {
-      const newSlug = this.generateSlug(updateFieldDto.name);
-      const existing = await this.prisma.profileField.findFirst({
-        where: {
-          AND: [
-            { id: { not: id } },
-            { sectionId: field.sectionId },
-            { slug: newSlug },
-          ],
-        },
-      });
-      if (existing) {
-        throw new ConflictException('A field with this name already exists in this section');
-      }
-      data.slug = newSlug;
     }
 
     return this.prisma.profileField.update({
diff --git a/src/profile-fields/profile-sections.service.ts b/src/profile-fields/profile-sections.service.ts
index bcc8d78..c40fa8d 100644
--- a/src/profile-fields/profile-sections.service.ts
+++ b/src/profile-fields/profile-sections.service.ts
@@ -108,13 +108,9 @@ export class ProfileSectionsService {
 
     const data: any = { ...updateSectionDto };
 
-    // Resolve effective slug: explicit slug from DTO wins; otherwise regenerate from name if name changed
-    let effectiveSlug: string | undefined;
-    if (updateSectionDto.slug) {
-      effectiveSlug = updateSectionDto.slug;
-    } else if (updateSectionDto.name) {
-      effectiveSlug = this.generateSlug(updateSectionDto.name);
-    }
+    // Slug only changes when admin explicitly sends one — renaming the section never
+    // regenerates it, so field/section references stay stable.
+    const effectiveSlug: string | undefined = updateSectionDto.slug;
 
     if (effectiveSlug) {
       // Check if slug conflicts with another section