diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3634440..119f61c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -137,13 +137,14 @@ docker compose up -d
 
 ### Environment variables
 
-| Variable         | Default Value       | Recommended to change | Description                                   |
-| ---------------- | ------------------- | --------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
-| `PUBLIC_APP_URL` | `http://localhost`  | yes                   | The URL where you will access the app.        |
-| `DB_PATH`        | `data/pocket-id.db` | no                    | The path to the SQLite database.              |
-| `UPLOAD_PATH`    | `data/uploads`      | no                    | The path where the uploaded files are stored. |
-| `PORT`           | `3000`              | no                    | The port on which the frontend should listen. |
-| `BACKEND_PORT`   | `8080`              | no                    | The port on which the backend should listen.  |
+| Variable               | Default Value           | Recommended to change | Description                                   |
+| ---------------------- | ----------------------- | --------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
+| `PUBLIC_APP_URL`       | `http://localhost`      | yes                   | The URL where you will access the app.        |
+| `DB_PATH`              | `data/pocket-id.db`     | no                    | The path to the SQLite database.              |
+| `UPLOAD_PATH`          | `data/uploads`          | no                    | The path where the uploaded files are stored. |
+| `INTERNAL_BACKEND_URL` | `http://localhost:8080` | no                    | The URL where the backend is accessible.      |
+| `PORT`                 | `3000`                  | no                    | The port on which the frontend should listen. |
+| `BACKEND_PORT`         | `8080`                  | no                    | The port on which the backend should listen.  |
 
 ## Contribute
 
diff --git a/frontend/.env.example b/frontend/.env.example
index a435570..1e85d58 100644
--- a/frontend/.env.example
+++ b/frontend/.env.example
@@ -1 +1,2 @@
-PUBLIC_APP_URL=http://localhost
\ No newline at end of file
+PUBLIC_APP_URL=http://localhost
+INTERNAL_BACKEND_URL=http://localhost:8080
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks.server.ts b/frontend/src/hooks.server.ts
index ce645aa..07795fd 100644
--- a/frontend/src/hooks.server.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks.server.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,13 @@
+import { env } from '$env/dynamic/private';
 import type { Handle, HandleServerError } from '@sveltejs/kit';
 import { AxiosError } from 'axios';
 import jwt from 'jsonwebtoken';
 
+// Workaround so that we can also import this environment variable into client-side code
+// If we would directly import $env/dynamic/private into the api-service.ts file, it would throw an error
+// this is still secure as process will just be undefined in the browser
+process.env.INTERNAL_BACKEND_URL = env.INTERNAL_BACKEND_URL ?? 'http://localhost:8080';
+
 export const handle: Handle = async ({ event, resolve }) => {
 	const accessToken = event.cookies.get('access_token');
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/services/api-service.ts b/frontend/src/lib/services/api-service.ts
index 53af274..0b088d9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/services/api-service.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/services/api-service.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,7 @@
 import { browser } from '$app/environment';
-import { env } from '$env/dynamic/public';
 import axios from 'axios';
 
 abstract class APIService {
-	baseURL: string = '/api';
 	api = axios.create({
 		withCredentials: true
 	});
@@ -11,11 +9,11 @@ abstract class APIService {
 	constructor(accessToken?: string) {
 		if (accessToken) {
 			this.api.defaults.headers.common['Authorization'] = `Bearer ${accessToken}`;
-		} else {
-			this.api.defaults.baseURL = '/api';
 		}
-		if (!browser) {
-			this.api.defaults.baseURL = (env.PUBLIC_APP_URL ?? 'http://localhost') + '/api';
+		if (browser) {
+			this.api.defaults.baseURL = '/api';
+		} else {
+			this.api.defaults.baseURL = process?.env?.INTERNAL_BACKEND_URL + '/api';
 		}
 	}
 }