diff --git a/contrib/docker-compose/.env b/contrib/docker-compose/.env
index f371e21ef..7c70f3cf6 100644
--- a/contrib/docker-compose/.env
+++ b/contrib/docker-compose/.env
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ TZ="UTC"
 # Please do this before deploying an application!
 #
 # See: https://docs.pixelfed.org/technical-documentation/config/#app_key
-APP_KEY=base64:IvvWCuLmAAcyPBzDI+IH6OxnU9w2kTSYZrcg6F4m7Uk=
+APP_KEY=
 
 # See: https://docs.pixelfed.org/technical-documentation/config/#app_name-1
 APP_NAME="Pixelfed Prod"