diff --git a/docker/nginx.conf b/docker/nginx.conf
index 8efc8a8..3dd642d 100644
--- a/docker/nginx.conf
+++ b/docker/nginx.conf
@@ -4,14 +4,19 @@ server {
     root /usr/share/nginx/html;
     index index.html;
 
+    # Use Docker's embedded DNS with 30s TTL so upstream IPs refresh
+    # after container recreates
+    resolver 127.0.0.11 valid=30s ipv6=off;
+
     # SPA fallback
     location / {
         try_files $uri $uri/ /index.html;
     }
 
-    # API proxy
+    # API proxy — variable forces nginx to re-resolve on each request
     location /api/ {
-        proxy_pass http://chrysopedia-api:8000;
+        set $backend http://chrysopedia-api:8000;
+        proxy_pass $backend;
         proxy_set_header Host $host;
         proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
         proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
@@ -19,6 +24,7 @@ server {
     }
 
     location /health {
-        proxy_pass http://chrysopedia-api:8000;
+        set $backend http://chrysopedia-api:8000;
+        proxy_pass $backend;
     }
 }