diff --git a/gcloud/tf/scripts/k3s-vm-startup.sh b/gcloud/tf/scripts/k3s-vm-startup.sh
index b22c886..44793a1 100644
--- a/gcloud/tf/scripts/k3s-vm-startup.sh
+++ b/gcloud/tf/scripts/k3s-vm-startup.sh
@@ -100,6 +100,25 @@ if [[ ! -d "$INFCTL_INSTALL_DIR" ]]; then
     chown -R user:user "$INFCTL_INSTALL_DIR"
 fi
 
+for i in {1..100}; do
+    if [[ -f /opt/src/infctl-cli/.env ]]; then
+        echo ".env file found."
+        break
+    else
+        echo ".env file not found. Attempt $i/100. Waiting 5 seconds..."
+        sleep 5
+    fi
+done
+
+# Final check after loop
+if [[ ! -f /opt/src/infctl-cli/.env ]]; then
+    echo "ERROR: .env file not found after 10 attempts. Exiting."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+# load .env file
+source /opt/src/infctl-cli/.env
+
 # check to see if INSTALL_FORGEJO is set to "true"
 if [[ "$INSTALL_FORGEJO" == "true" ]]; then
     # install forgejo using infctl