diff --git a/backend/utils/controller-api.js b/backend/utils/controller-api.js
index 8bdbfe3..028a081 100644
--- a/backend/utils/controller-api.js
+++ b/backend/utils/controller-api.js
@@ -1,13 +1,16 @@
 import axios from "axios";
 import fs from "node:fs";
+import os from "node:os";
 
 const baseURL = process.env.ZU_CONTROLLER_ENDPOINT || "http://localhost:9993/";
 
 var token;
 if (process.env.ZU_CONTROLLER_TOKEN) {
   token = process.env.ZU_CONTROLLER_TOKEN;
-} else {
+} else if (os.platform() === "linux") {
   token = fs.readFileSync("/var/lib/zerotier-one/authtoken.secret", "utf8");
+} else {
+  throw new Error("Please provide ZU_CONTROLLER_TOKEN in environment");
 }
 
 export const api = axios.create({