diff --git a/openclaw/config.ts b/openclaw/config.ts
index de1b86625..37dec0edf 100644
--- a/openclaw/config.ts
+++ b/openclaw/config.ts
@@ -196,14 +196,9 @@ export const mem0ConfigSchema = {
     const mode: Mem0Mode =
       cfg.mode === "oss" || cfg.mode === "open-source" ? "open-source" : "platform";
 
-    // Platform mode requires apiKey
-    if (mode === "platform") {
-      if (typeof cfg.apiKey !== "string" || !cfg.apiKey) {
-        throw new Error(
-          "apiKey is required for platform mode (set mode: \"open-source\" for self-hosted)",
-        );
-      }
-    }
+    // Platform mode requires apiKey — but don't throw on missing config.
+    // The plugin should register successfully and log a setup message.
+    const needsSetup = mode === "platform" && (typeof cfg.apiKey !== "string" || !cfg.apiKey);
 
     // Resolve env vars in oss config
     let ossConfig: Mem0Config["oss"];
@@ -241,6 +236,7 @@ export const mem0ConfigSchema = {
       searchThreshold:
         typeof cfg.searchThreshold === "number" ? cfg.searchThreshold : 0.5,
       topK: typeof cfg.topK === "number" ? cfg.topK : 5,
+      needsSetup,
       oss: ossConfig,
       skills:
         cfg.skills && typeof cfg.skills === "object" && !Array.isArray(cfg.skills)
diff --git a/openclaw/index.ts b/openclaw/index.ts
index 2900b92b0..1b3c38a97 100644
--- a/openclaw/index.ts
+++ b/openclaw/index.ts
@@ -94,6 +94,25 @@ const memoryPlugin = {
 
   register(api: OpenClawPluginApi) {
     const cfg = mem0ConfigSchema.parse(api.pluginConfig);
+
+    // If API key is missing, register successfully but skip all memory operations.
+    // This prevents install from failing and gives the user a clear setup message.
+    if (cfg.needsSetup) {
+      api.logger.warn(
+        "openclaw-mem0: API key not configured. Memory features are disabled.\n" +
+        "  To set up, run:\n" +
+        '  openclaw config set plugins.entries.openclaw-mem0.config.apiKey "m0-your-key"\n' +
+        "  openclaw gateway restart\n" +
+        "  Get your key at: https://app.mem0.ai/dashboard/api-keys"
+      );
+      api.registerService({
+        id: "openclaw-mem0",
+        start: () => { api.logger.info("openclaw-mem0: waiting for API key configuration"); },
+        stop: () => {},
+      });
+      return;
+    }
+
     const provider = createProvider(cfg, api);
 
     // Track current session ID for tool-level session scoping.
diff --git a/openclaw/types.ts b/openclaw/types.ts
index c94fd7641..62df25f6b 100644
--- a/openclaw/types.ts
+++ b/openclaw/types.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ export type Mem0Config = {
   autoRecall: boolean;
   searchThreshold: number;
   topK: number;
+  // Setup state
+  needsSetup?: boolean;
   // Agentic harness skills
   skills?: SkillsConfig;
 };