diff --git a/.env.template b/.env.template
index be59797..bb888de 100644
--- a/.env.template
+++ b/.env.template
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 PORT=string # Optional. The API server port. Defaults to 8080.
 
-NETWORK=string # Required. The network to connect to.  See `SupportedChain` in `graphql.ts` for supported networks.
-
 # Required. The RPC configuration. See `SupportedChain` in `graphql.ts` for supported networks.
 RPC_CONFIG='{
   "MAINNET": {
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index b9034b7..b1a0594 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
     "test:e2e": "docker compose up --attach app --build --exit-code-from app && docker compose down",
     "build:graphql": "graphql-codegen",
     "build:contracts": "typechain --target=ethers-v6 --out-dir ./src/generated/contracts ./src/abi/**.json",
-    "build": "npm run build:contracts && npm run build:graphql && tsc",
+    "build": "./scripts/check-env-vars.sh && npm run build:contracts && npm run build:graphql && tsc",
     "dev": "npx nodemon",
     "start": "node dist/index.js",
     "check": "tsc --noEmit"
diff --git a/scripts/check-env-vars.sh b/scripts/check-env-vars.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..f63a6ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/check-env-vars.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+echo 🤓 Checking env vars...
+echo
+
+if [ -f .env ]; then
+  export $(grep -v '^#' .env | xargs)
+fi
+
+required_vars=("RPC_CONFIG" "POSTGRES_CONNECTION_STRING" "DRIPS_API_KEY" "PUBLIC_API_KEYS")
+
+for var in "${required_vars[@]}"; do
+  if [ -z "${!var}" ]; then
+    echo "❌ Error: $var is not set."
+    exit 1
+  fi
+done
+
+echo "✅ All required environment variables are set."