diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index e21ab86..3a2e244 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -28,7 +28,9 @@ services:
     environment:
       PORT: 5001
       NODE_ENV: production
-      DATABASE_URL: ${DATABASE_URL}
+      # Default matches postgres service when POSTGRES_PASSWORD is unset (local/staging).
+      # Override via `.env` (Compose loads `.env`, not `.env.production`).
+      DATABASE_URL: ${DATABASE_URL:-postgresql://postgres:${POSTGRES_PASSWORD:-postgres123}@postgres:5432/mind14_crm?schema=public}
       JWT_SECRET: ${JWT_SECRET:-z-crm-jwt-secret-change-in-production-NOW}
       JWT_EXPIRES_IN: 7d
       JWT_REFRESH_EXPIRES_IN: 30d