diff --git a/conf/default.env b/conf/default.env
index 988ac4a..b6e171b 100644
--- a/conf/default.env
+++ b/conf/default.env
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 APP_NAME="Invoice Ninja"
 APP_ENV=production
-APP_KEY=
+APP_KEY=__APP_KEY__
 
 APP_DEBUG=false
 EXPANDED_LOGGING=false