diff --git a/feedback_backend.php b/feedback_backend.php
index ec759b4..25368fe 100644
--- a/feedback_backend.php
+++ b/feedback_backend.php
@@ -6,6 +6,11 @@ $dataDir = __DIR__ . '/data/';
 $dataFile = $dataDir . 'feedback.json';
 
 function getAdminPassword() {
+    $envVar = getenv('ADMIN_PASSWORD');
+    if ($envVar !== false && $envVar !== '') {
+        return $envVar;
+    }
+
     $envFile = __DIR__ . '/.env';
     if (file_exists($envFile)) {
         $lines = file($envFile, FILE_IGNORE_NEW_LINES | FILE_SKIP_EMPTY_LINES);