diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 974d1a2..44cc43c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ pm2 start --name="pingvin-share-backend" npm -- run prod
 cd ../frontend
 npm install
 npm run build
+API_URL=http://localhost:8080 # Set the URL of the backend, default: http://localhost:8080 
 pm2 start --name="pingvin-share-frontend" npm -- run start
 ```
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/middleware.ts b/frontend/src/middleware.ts
index cc9d1eb..9b9af19 100644
--- a/frontend/src/middleware.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/middleware.ts
@@ -21,9 +21,8 @@ export async function middleware(request: NextRequest) {
   };
 
   // Get config from backend
-  const config = await (
-    await fetch(`${request.nextUrl.origin}/api/configs`)
-  ).json();
+  const apiUrl = process.env.API_URL || "http://localhost:8080";
+  const config = await (await fetch(`${apiUrl}/api/configs`)).json();
 
   const getConfig = (key: string) => {
     return configService.get(key, config);
@@ -35,7 +34,7 @@ export async function middleware(request: NextRequest) {
 
   try {
     const claims = jwtDecode<{ exp: number; isAdmin: boolean }>(
-      accessToken as string,
+      accessToken as string
     );
     if (claims.exp * 1000 > Date.now()) {
       user = claims;