diff --git a/.env.docker.production.example b/.env.docker.production.example
index e288886..4769709 100644
--- a/.env.docker.production.example
+++ b/.env.docker.production.example
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ JWT_EXPIRY=8h
 RENTER_JWT_EXPIRY=7d
 
 # ── Database ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-POSTGRES_PASSWORD=24DY@1u5FLCkNMeiO@p
+# IMPORTANT: POSTGRES_PASSWORD must match the password in DATABASE_URL above
+POSTGRES_PASSWORD=change-me
 NODE_ENV=production
 
 # ── Email (choose one: Resend API or SMTP) ────────────────────────────────────