diff --git a/aws/.env b/aws/.env
index f3a0c66..3589656 100644
--- a/aws/.env
+++ b/aws/.env
@@ -33,3 +33,7 @@ R2_BUCKET_NAME=recipes-backups
 # Automatic Backup Schedule
 # Options: test (every 1 minute), daily, weekly, disabled
 BACKUP_INTERVAL=weekly
+
+# Frontend API URL - Replace with your EC2 public IP
+# This is used by the browser to connect to the backend
+API_BASE=http://YOUR_EC2_PUBLIC_IP:8000
diff --git a/aws/docker-compose.yaml b/aws/docker-compose.yaml
index 2bc1b18..f99d433 100644
--- a/aws/docker-compose.yaml
+++ b/aws/docker-compose.yaml
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ services:
     ports:
       - "80:80"
     environment:
-      API_BASE: http://localhost:8000
+      API_BASE: ${API_BASE:-http://localhost:8000}
     depends_on:
       - backend
     networks: