diff --git a/frontend/lib/api.ts b/frontend/lib/api.ts
index f8a661f0..b9541f46 100644
--- a/frontend/lib/api.ts
+++ b/frontend/lib/api.ts
@@ -29,10 +29,12 @@ export const getNetworkConfig = async () => {
 
 export const getBackendUrl = async () => {
   const config = await getNetworkConfig();
-  
+
   if (typeof window === 'undefined') return `http://localhost:${config.BACKEND_PORT}`;
 
-  const host = window.location.hostname;
+  // Use SERVER_IP from config (set during startup) instead of window.location.hostname
+  // This ensures VPN/remote clients connect to the correct server IP, not their access IP
+  const host = config.SERVER_IP || window.location.hostname;
 
   // If we are on HTTPS (Proxy/Mobile mode), we use the SSL port for the backend
   if (window.location.protocol === 'https:') {