diff --git a/buffer_clone_backend/settings.py b/buffer_clone_backend/settings.py
index 7753e99..9c5ddc4 100644
--- a/buffer_clone_backend/settings.py
+++ b/buffer_clone_backend/settings.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ BASE_DIR = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
 # See https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/5.0/howto/deployment/checklist/
 
 # SECURITY WARNING: keep the secret key used in production secret!
-SECRET_KEY = 'django-insecure-n7m7=+yhd315*v%bys-i!!8y69d7bdc@bzie4=mr^pcs!(-im1'
+SECRET_KEY = str(os.getenv('SECRET_KEY'))
 
 # SECURITY WARNING: don't run with debug turned on in production!
 DEBUG = True