diff --git a/crates/utils/src/email.rs b/crates/utils/src/email.rs
index eda8309f8..62cbe3c5e 100644
--- a/crates/utils/src/email.rs
+++ b/crates/utils/src/email.rs
@@ -78,7 +78,11 @@ pub fn send_email(
   };
 
   // Set the creds if they exist
-  if let (Some(username), Some(password)) = (email_config.smtp_login, email_config.smtp_password) {
+  let smtp_password = std::env::var("LEMMY_SMTP_PASSWORD")
+    .ok()
+    .or(email_config.smtp_password);
+
+  if let (Some(username), Some(password)) = (email_config.smtp_login, smtp_password) {
     builder = builder.credentials(Credentials::new(username, password));
   }