diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 90f4cd8..54b8c1b 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1 +1,2 @@
 quotes.db
+settings.cfg
diff --git a/backend/app.py b/backend/app.py
index 385b9c4..fb1dfc6 100644
--- a/backend/app.py
+++ b/backend/app.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-import os
-
 import flask
 import flask_cors
 import flask_login
@@ -11,11 +9,8 @@ import itsdangerous
 import sqlalchemy
 
 
-DB_PATH = os.path.expandvars('$HOME/quotes/quotes.db')
-
 app = flask.Flask(__name__)
-app.config['SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI'] = f'sqlite:///{DB_PATH}'
-app.config['ERROR_404_HELP'] = False
+app.config.from_envvar('SETTINGS')
 
 db = flask_sqlalchemy.SQLAlchemy(app)
 db.create_all()