diff --git a/backend/src/notifications/notifications.service.ts b/backend/src/notifications/notifications.service.ts
index 27ee0f4..a2f1904 100644
--- a/backend/src/notifications/notifications.service.ts
+++ b/backend/src/notifications/notifications.service.ts
@@ -7,10 +7,14 @@ export class NotificationsService {
   private readonly fcmServerKey: string;
 
   constructor(private config: ConfigService) {
-    this.fcmServerKey = this.config.getOrThrow<string>('FCM_SERVER_KEY');
+    this.fcmServerKey = this.config.get<string>('FCM_SERVER_KEY', '');
   }
 
   async send(to: string, title: string, body: string, data?: Record<string, any>) {
+    if (!this.fcmServerKey) {
+      this.logger.warn('FCM_SERVER_KEY not set, skipping notification');
+      return;
+    }
     const message = {
       notification: { title, body },
       priority: 'high' as const,