diff --git a/src/main/java/bisq/core/app/CoreModule.java b/src/main/java/bisq/core/app/CoreModule.java
index cf670437..ebb37200 100644
--- a/src/main/java/bisq/core/app/CoreModule.java
+++ b/src/main/java/bisq/core/app/CoreModule.java
@@ -96,7 +96,8 @@ protected void configure() {
         Boolean useDevMode = environment.getProperty(CommonOptionKeys.USE_DEV_MODE, Boolean.class, false);
         bind(boolean.class).annotatedWith(Names.named(CommonOptionKeys.USE_DEV_MODE)).toInstance(useDevMode);
 
-        bindConstant().annotatedWith(named(AppOptionKeys.REFERRAL_ID)).to(environment.getRequiredProperty(AppOptionKeys.REFERRAL_ID));
+        String referralId = environment.getProperty(AppOptionKeys.REFERRAL_ID, String.class, "");
+        bind(String.class).annotatedWith(Names.named(AppOptionKeys.REFERRAL_ID)).toInstance(referralId);
 
         // ordering is used for shut down sequence
         install(tradeModule());
diff --git a/src/main/java/bisq/core/app/ModuleForAppWithP2p.java b/src/main/java/bisq/core/app/ModuleForAppWithP2p.java
index 86e79eba..fbb2a16e 100644
--- a/src/main/java/bisq/core/app/ModuleForAppWithP2p.java
+++ b/src/main/java/bisq/core/app/ModuleForAppWithP2p.java
@@ -88,6 +88,9 @@ protected void configure() {
         Boolean useDevMode = environment.getProperty(CommonOptionKeys.USE_DEV_MODE, Boolean.class, false);
         bind(boolean.class).annotatedWith(Names.named(CommonOptionKeys.USE_DEV_MODE)).toInstance(useDevMode);
 
+        String referralId = environment.getProperty(AppOptionKeys.REFERRAL_ID, String.class, "");
+        bind(String.class).annotatedWith(Names.named(AppOptionKeys.REFERRAL_ID)).toInstance(referralId);
+
         // ordering is used for shut down sequence
         install(tradeModule());
         install(encryptionServiceModule());