diff --git a/graphiti_core/helpers.py b/graphiti_core/helpers.py
index cd05a95..5e12d6c 100644
--- a/graphiti_core/helpers.py
+++ b/graphiti_core/helpers.py
@@ -18,8 +18,11 @@
 from datetime import datetime
 
 import numpy as np
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
 from neo4j import time as neo4j_time
 
+load_dotenv()
+
 DEFAULT_DATABASE = os.getenv('DEFAULT_DATABASE', None)