diff --git a/server/src/main.ts b/server/src/main.ts
index c9f4ef8..dc75bce 100644
--- a/server/src/main.ts
+++ b/server/src/main.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-import 'dotenv/config';
+// Load .env when running locally; no-op when env is injected by k8s
+try { require('dotenv/config'); } catch {}
 import { buildApp } from './app';
 
 const PORT = Number(process.env.PORT ?? 4000);