diff --git a/aws/.env b/aws/.env
index 5d8967c..f3a0c66 100644
--- a/aws/.env
+++ b/aws/.env
@@ -33,7 +33,3 @@ R2_BUCKET_NAME=recipes-backups
 # Automatic Backup Schedule
 # Options: test (every 1 minute), daily, weekly, disabled
 BACKUP_INTERVAL=weekly
-
-# Frontend API URL (for frontend container to connect to backend via docker-compose)
-# Use the service name 'backend' from docker-compose.yaml
-VITE_API_URL=http://backend:8000
diff --git a/aws/docker-compose.yaml b/aws/docker-compose.yaml
index 5eca4d6..2bc1b18 100644
--- a/aws/docker-compose.yaml
+++ b/aws/docker-compose.yaml
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ services:
     ports:
       - "80:80"
     environment:
-      VITE_API_URL: ${VITE_API_URL:-http://backend:8000}
+      API_BASE: http://localhost:8000
     depends_on:
       - backend
     networks: