diff --git a/scripts/publish_site_batch.py b/scripts/publish_site_batch.py
index d240f5b..43a03b6 100644
--- a/scripts/publish_site_batch.py
+++ b/scripts/publish_site_batch.py
@@ -294,7 +294,9 @@ class GhostClient:
 
 async def main() -> None:
     args = parse_args()
-    key = Path(args.key_file).read_text(encoding="utf-8").strip()
+    key = os.environ.get("SITE_POSTER_GHOST_ADMIN_KEY", "").strip()
+    if not key:
+        key = Path(args.key_file).read_text(encoding="utf-8").strip()
     pool = await get_pool()
     if args.all_ready or args.all_ready_videos:
         media_condition = (