diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c21788ca..3c19157a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -97,6 +97,14 @@ Clone repository and enter directory:
   cd nostream
   ```
 
+Generate a secret with: `openssl rand -hex 128`
+Copy the output and paste it into an `.env` file:
+
+  ```
+  SECRET=aaabbbccc...dddeeefff
+  # Secret shortened for brevity
+  ```
+
 Start:
   ```
   ./scripts/start
@@ -185,8 +193,8 @@ Set the following environment variables:
   REDIS_PASSWORD=nostr_ts_relay
   ```
 
-If enabling payments, generate a long random secret and set SECRET:
-  You may want to use `openssl rand -hex 128` to generate a secret.
+Generate a long random secret and set SECRET:
+You may want to use `openssl rand -hex 128` to generate a secret.
 
   ```
   SECRET=aaabbbccc...dddeeefff
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index aef81d11..9a29891c 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ services:
     build: .
     container_name: nostream
     environment:
+      SECRET: ${SECRET}
       RELAY_PORT: 8008
       # Master
       NOSTR_CONFIG_DIR: /home/node/.nostr