diff --git a/.env.prod.example b/.env.prod.example
index ac9fe70f8..a82499a32 100644
--- a/.env.prod.example
+++ b/.env.prod.example
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ BOOKWYRM_DATABASE_BACKEND=postgres
 
 MEDIA_ROOT=images/
 
+POSTGRES_PORT=5432
 POSTGRES_PASSWORD=securedbpassword123
 POSTGRES_USER=fedireads
 POSTGRES_DB=fedireads
diff --git a/bookwyrm/settings.py b/bookwyrm/settings.py
index 45d8cb9d6..d694e33fd 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/settings.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/settings.py
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ BOOKWYRM_DBS = {
         "USER": env("POSTGRES_USER", "fedireads"),
         "PASSWORD": env("POSTGRES_PASSWORD", "fedireads"),
         "HOST": env("POSTGRES_HOST", ""),
-        "PORT": 5432,
+        "PORT": env("POSTGRES_PORT", 5432),
     },
 }