diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 7b9b068..cddbb08 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ services:
     restart: always
     ports:
       - "3000:3000"
+    env_file: .env
     environment:
       # Core Configuration
       - BASE_WEBHOOK_URL=http://localhost:3000/localCallbackExample
diff --git a/server.js b/server.js
index ec7b088..b6a15f0 100644
--- a/server.js
+++ b/server.js
@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
+// Load environment variables first
+require('dotenv').config({ path: process.env.ENV_PATH || '.env' })
+
 const app = require('./src/app')
 const { baseWebhookURL, enableWebHook, enableWebSocket, autoStartSessions } = require('./src/config')
 const { logger } = require('./src/logger')
 const { handleUpgrade } = require('./src/websocket')
 const { restoreSessions } = require('./src/sessions')
 
-require('dotenv').config()
-
 // Start the server
 const port = process.env.PORT || 3000