diff --git a/src/composables/useNostrChat.ts b/src/composables/useNostrChat.ts
index d84856d..22d221e 100644
--- a/src/composables/useNostrChat.ts
+++ b/src/composables/useNostrChat.ts
@@ -20,18 +20,14 @@ export interface NostrRelayConfig {
   write?: boolean
 }
 
-// Get relays from config or use defaults
+// Get relays from config - requires VITE_NOSTR_RELAYS to be set
 const getRelays = (): NostrRelayConfig[] => {
   const configuredRelays = config.nostr.relays
-  if (configuredRelays && configuredRelays.length > 0) {
-    return configuredRelays.map((url: string) => ({ url, read: true, write: true }))
+  if (!configuredRelays || configuredRelays.length === 0) {
+    throw new Error('VITE_NOSTR_RELAYS environment variable must be configured for chat functionality')
   }
   
-  // Fallback relays if none configured
-  return [
-    { url: 'wss://relay.damus.io', read: true, write: true },
-    { url: 'wss://nos.lol', read: true, write: true }
-  ]
+  return configuredRelays.map((url: string) => ({ url, read: true, write: true }))
 }
 
 export function useNostrChat() {