diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index bfa638a..e83b597 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ services:
     environment:
       PUBLIC_INTERNAL_API_HOST: "http://nginx:80"
       PUBLIC_TRANSLATION_API_HOST: ""
-      PUBLIC_API_HOST: ${WHISHPER_PUBLIC_URL}
+      PUBLIC_API_HOST: ${WHISHPER_PUBLIC_URL:-}
     depends_on:
       transcription-api:
         condition: service_healthy