diff --git a/server/config/settings/base.py b/server/config/settings/base.py
index ca59dbb0..d90389fc 100644
--- a/server/config/settings/base.py
+++ b/server/config/settings/base.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from vbv_lernwelt.core.utils import structlog_add_app_info
 SERVER_ROOT_DIR = Path(__file__).resolve(strict=True).parent.parent.parent
 APPS_DIR = SERVER_ROOT_DIR / "vbv_lernwelt"
 env = Env()
+env.read_env()
 
 # set to "development" for local development
 APP_ENVIRONMENT = env("IT_APP_ENVIRONMENT")