diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index e94e9ef..40f8d86 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -247,4 +247,4 @@ services:
 
 networks:
   default:
-    name: ae_dev_net
+    name: ${AE_NETWORK_NAME:-ae_dev_net}
diff --git a/env.default b/env.default
index 2c95873..51788b9 100644
--- a/env.default
+++ b/env.default
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ CONTAINER_DOZZLE=ae_dozzle_default
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # NETWORK & PROXY SETTINGS
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Internal Docker network name (should be unique per environment)
+AE_NETWORK_NAME=ae_dev_net
+
 # Local Nginx listener ports on the host system
 OSIT_WEB_HTTP_PORT=8080
 OSIT_WEB_HTTPS_PORT=4443