diff --git a/src/services/youtube.js b/src/services/youtube.js
index d91926f..79d7963 100644
--- a/src/services/youtube.js
+++ b/src/services/youtube.js
@@ -69,7 +69,8 @@ function addCookiesArg(args, cookiesPath = null) {
   }
 
   // Option 2: Use static cookies file (may expire)
-  const cookies = cookiesPath || COOKIES_PATH;
+  // Check dynamically in case cookies were uploaded after server started
+  const cookies = cookiesPath || process.env.YOUTUBE_COOKIES_PATH || COOKIES_PATH;
   if (cookies && fs.existsSync(cookies)) {
     console.log(`Using cookies file: ${cookies}`);
     return ['--cookies', cookies, ...args];