diff --git a/backend/internal/config/config.go b/backend/internal/config/config.go
index f52a7e2..cb12e97 100644
--- a/backend/internal/config/config.go
+++ b/backend/internal/config/config.go
@@ -57,6 +57,11 @@ func Load() (*Config, error) {
 		}
 	}
 
+	tickFlowAPIKey := os.Getenv("TICKFLOW_API_KEY")
+	if tickFlowAPIKey == "" {
+		tickFlowAPIKey = "tk_94a20304993f45b5b0e376b9767597cc"
+	}
+
 	tickFlowBaseURL := os.Getenv("TICKFLOW_BASE_URL")
 	if tickFlowBaseURL == "" {
 		tickFlowBaseURL = "https://api.tickflow.org"
@@ -75,7 +80,7 @@ func Load() (*Config, error) {
 		JWTExpirationHours: expHours,
 		Port:               port,
 		AllowedOrigins:     allowedOrigins,
-		TickFlowAPIKey:     os.Getenv("TICKFLOW_API_KEY"),
+		TickFlowAPIKey:     tickFlowAPIKey,
 		TickFlowBaseURL:    tickFlowBaseURL,
 		DataSyncEnabled:    dataSyncEnabled,
 		DataSyncTime:       dataSyncTime,