diff --git a/docker/Dockerfile b/docker/Dockerfile
index da48eac..f642be5 100644
--- a/docker/Dockerfile
+++ b/docker/Dockerfile
@@ -54,6 +54,12 @@ COPY peikarband/ /build/peikarband/
 # This allows both peikarband.peikarband and src.* imports to work
 ENV PYTHONPATH=/build:/build/peikarband
 
+# Verify that peikarband.peikarband can be imported before running reflex
+# This helps catch import errors early
+RUN cd /build && \
+    python3 -c "from peikarband.peikarband import app; print('✅ peikarband.peikarband.app imported successfully')" && \
+    echo "Import test passed"
+
 # Initialize Reflex and build frontend from peikarband directory
 # Reflex needs to run from the directory containing rxconfig.py
 RUN cd /build/peikarband && \
diff --git a/peikarband/peikarband/__init__.py b/peikarband/peikarband/__init__.py
index 9384583..07a7652 100644
--- a/peikarband/peikarband/__init__.py
+++ b/peikarband/peikarband/__init__.py
@@ -4,8 +4,10 @@ Reflex expects to find 'app' in peikarband.peikarband when app_name='peikarband'
 This submodule provides that structure.
 """
 
-# Import app from parent package's app.py
-from ..app import app
+# Import app from peikarband.app
+# This works when PYTHONPATH includes the parent directory of peikarband package
+# For example: PYTHONPATH=/build allows importing peikarband.app
+from peikarband.app import app
 
 __all__ = ["app"]