diff --git a/api.py b/api.py
index ce80df9..3e3de57 100755
--- a/api.py
+++ b/api.py
@@ -237,4 +237,9 @@ async def process_query(request: QueryRequest):
             interaction.save_session()
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    uvicorn.run(api, host="0.0.0.0", port=os.getenv("BACKEND_PORT") or 8000)
+    envport = os.getenv("BACKEND_PORT")
+    if envport:
+        port = int(envport)
+    else:
+        port = 8000
+    uvicorn.run(api, host="0.0.0.0", port=port)
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 2c89610..94ee4a3 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ services:
     environment:
       - NODE_ENV=development
       - CHOKIDAR_USEPOLLING=true
-      - BACKEND_URL=${BACKEND_URL:-http://backend:8000}
+      - BACKEND_URL=http://backend:${BACKEND_PORT:-8000}
     networks:
       - agentic-seek-net
   
diff --git a/start_services.sh b/start_services.sh
index 995f6ff..a4629e7 100755
--- a/start_services.sh
+++ b/start_services.sh
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
+# Loading .env file
+source .env
+
 command_exists() {
     command -v "$1" &> /dev/null
 }
@@ -71,4 +74,7 @@ if ! $COMPOSE_CMD up; then
     echo "Possible fixes: Run with sudo or ensure port 8080 is free."
     exit 1
 fi
+
+echo "Backend is expected to be running on port ${BACKEND_PORT:-8000}"
+
 sleep 10
\ No newline at end of file