diff --git a/lightrag/api/run_with_gunicorn.py b/lightrag/api/run_with_gunicorn.py
index 903c5c17..f27ddd61 100644
--- a/lightrag/api/run_with_gunicorn.py
+++ b/lightrag/api/run_with_gunicorn.py
@@ -9,7 +9,10 @@ import signal
 import pipmaster as pm
 from lightrag.api.utils_api import parse_args, display_splash_screen
 from lightrag.kg.shared_storage import initialize_share_data, finalize_share_data
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
 
+# Load environment variables from .env file
+load_dotenv()
 
 def check_and_install_dependencies():
     """Check and install required dependencies"""