diff --git a/server.ts b/server.ts
index a117d322..4f7f7045 100644
--- a/server.ts
+++ b/server.ts
@@ -12,8 +12,13 @@ import userRouter from './src/routes/user';
 import adminRouter from './src/routes/admin';
 import aiRouter from './src/routes/ai';
 
-// Load environment variables from a .env file at the root of your project
-dotenv.config();
+// Conditionally load environment variables based on the environment.
+// When running tests, `NODE_ENV` is automatically set to 'test' by Vitest.
+if (process.env.NODE_ENV === 'test') {
+  dotenv.config({ path: '.env.test' });
+} else {
+  dotenv.config(); // Load the default .env file for development/production
+}
 
 const app = express();