diff --git a/apps/website/app/api/contact/route.ts b/apps/website/app/api/contact/route.ts
index c9065d5..08ce38c 100644
--- a/apps/website/app/api/contact/route.ts
+++ b/apps/website/app/api/contact/route.ts
@@ -2,8 +2,6 @@ import type { NextRequest } from "next/server";
 import { NextResponse } from "next/server";
 import { Resend } from "resend";
 
-const resend = new Resend(process.env.RESEND_API_KEY || "");
-
 interface ContactFormData {
 	inquiryType: "support" | "sales" | "other";
 	name: string;
@@ -14,6 +12,17 @@ interface ContactFormData {
 
 export async function POST(request: NextRequest) {
 	try {
+		// Initialize Resend with API key check
+		const apiKey = process.env.RESEND_API_KEY;
+		if (!apiKey) {
+			console.error("RESEND_API_KEY is not configured");
+			return NextResponse.json(
+				{ error: "Email service not configured" },
+				{ status: 500 },
+			);
+		}
+
+		const resend = new Resend(apiKey);
 		const body: ContactFormData = await request.json();
 
 		// Validate required fields