diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 42c81a9..f9c9e3a 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -2,5 +2,5 @@ POSTGRES_DB=kittygram
 POSTGRES_USER=kittygram_user
 POSTGRES_PASSWORD=kittygram_password
 DB_NAME=kittygram
-SECRET_KEY=django-insecure-cg6*%6d51ef8f#4!r3*$vmxm4)abgjw8mo!4y-q*uq1!4$-89$
+SECRET_KEY=
 DEBUG=
diff --git a/.github/workflows/main.yml b/.github/workflows/main.yml
index cd8c16b..45fd05d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main.yml
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ on:
       - main
 
 env:
-  SECRET_KEY: django-insecure-cg6*%6d51ef8f#4!r3*$vmxm4)abgjw8mo!4y-q*uq1!4$-89$
+  SECRET_KEY: ${{ secrets.SECRET_KEY }}
 
 jobs:
   tests:
diff --git a/backend/kittygram_backend/settings.py b/backend/kittygram_backend/settings.py
index f2a2066..a01d0b4 100644
--- a/backend/kittygram_backend/settings.py
+++ b/backend/kittygram_backend/settings.py
@@ -4,7 +4,10 @@
 
 from dotenv import load_dotenv
 
-load_dotenv()
+env_path = Path('/backend/kittygram_backend/.env')
+load_dotenv(dotenv_path=env_path)
+
+# load_dotenv()
 
 BASE_DIR = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent