diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 0046854..c8bf49d 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -12,6 +12,11 @@ services:
     volumes:
       - /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock
       - ./data:/app/data
+    # Optional SES SMTP relay settings (FLOCI_SERVICES_SES_SMTP_*), kept outside the repo
+    # because they hold a password. Without the file, sent emails stay in the SES mailbox.
+    env_file:
+      - path: ${HOME}/.config/thecloud/ses-smtp.env
+        required: false
     environment:
       FLOCI_SERVICES_DOCKER_NETWORK: floci_default
       FLOCI_SERVICES_RDS_PROXY_BASE_PORT: "7001"