diff --git a/curriculum/challenges/english/05-back-end-development-and-apis/basic-node-and-express/use-the-.env-file.md b/curriculum/challenges/english/05-back-end-development-and-apis/basic-node-and-express/use-the-.env-file.md
index e953553f4b..e0f635dd12 100644
--- a/curriculum/challenges/english/05-back-end-development-and-apis/basic-node-and-express/use-the-.env-file.md
+++ b/curriculum/challenges/english/05-back-end-development-and-apis/basic-node-and-express/use-the-.env-file.md
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ Then, in the `/json` GET route handler you created in the last challenge, transf
 
 **Note:** If you are using Replit, you cannot create a `.env` file. Instead, use the built-in <dfn>SECRETS</dfn> tab to add the variable.
 
+If you are working locally, you will need the `dotenv` package. It loads environment variables from your `.env` file into `process.env`. Install it with `npm install dotenv`. Then, at the top of your `myApp.js` file, import and load the variables with `require('dotenv').config()`.
+
 # --hints--
 
 The response of the endpoint `/json` should change according to the environment variable `MESSAGE_STYLE`