diff --git a/app/models.py b/app/models.py
index 8832b58..c61a5eb 100644
--- a/app/models.py
+++ b/app/models.py
@@ -30,11 +30,11 @@ class NotifyRequest(BaseModel):
         ),
     ]
     voice: Annotated[
-        str,
+        str | None,
         Field(
-            default="en_US-lessac-medium",
+            default=None,
             pattern=r"^[\w-]+$",
-            description="Piper voice model name",
+            description="Piper voice model name (uses server default if not specified)",
         ),
     ]
     rate: Annotated[
diff --git a/voice-server.service b/voice-server.service
index 326af73..7a0d8b4 100644
--- a/voice-server.service
+++ b/voice-server.service
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ After=network.target sound.target
 Type=simple
 WorkingDirectory=/mnt/NV2/Development/voice-server
 Environment=PATH=/mnt/NV2/Development/voice-server/.venv/bin:/usr/bin:/bin
+EnvironmentFile=/mnt/NV2/Development/voice-server/.env
 ExecStart=/mnt/NV2/Development/voice-server/.venv/bin/uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8888
 Restart=on-failure
 RestartSec=5