diff --git a/deployment/docker/docker-compose.yaml b/deployment/docker/docker-compose.yaml
index c2e9635..8df9ddb 100644
--- a/deployment/docker/docker-compose.yaml
+++ b/deployment/docker/docker-compose.yaml
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ services:
     env_file:
       - .env
     environment:
-      MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_USERNAME: ${MONGODB_USER}
-      MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_PASSWORD: ${MONGODB_PASSWORD}
+      MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_USERNAME: ${MONGODB_USER:?Variable MONGODB_USER not set}
+      MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_PASSWORD: ${MONGODB_PASSWORD:?Variable MONGODB_PASSWORD not set}
     # # If you need the database to be accessible from outside, please open the below port.
     # # Furthermore, please, please, please, change the username and password in the .env file.
     # ports: