diff --git a/docker/entrypoint.sh b/docker/entrypoint.sh
index f432a4f..f37a38c 100644
--- a/docker/entrypoint.sh
+++ b/docker/entrypoint.sh
@@ -3,6 +3,17 @@
 # Exit on any error
 set -e
 
+# Check required Lemmy environment variables
+if [ -z "$LEMMY_INSTANCE" ] || [ -z "$LEMMY_USERNAME" ] || [ -z "$LEMMY_PASSWORD" ] || [ -z "$LEMMY_COMMUNITY" ]; then
+    echo "ERROR: Missing required Lemmy configuration variables:"
+    echo "  LEMMY_INSTANCE=${LEMMY_INSTANCE:-'(not set)'}"
+    echo "  LEMMY_USERNAME=${LEMMY_USERNAME:-'(not set)'}"
+    echo "  LEMMY_PASSWORD=${LEMMY_PASSWORD:-'(not set)'}"
+    echo "  LEMMY_COMMUNITY=${LEMMY_COMMUNITY:-'(not set)'}"
+    echo "Please set all required environment variables before starting the application."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
 # Wait for database to be ready
 until php artisan tinker --execute="DB::connection()->getPdo();" > /dev/null 2>&1; do
     echo "Waiting for database connection..."