diff --git a/backend/app.py b/backend/app.py
index 864160e8..668305fd 100644
--- a/backend/app.py
+++ b/backend/app.py
@@ -1,6 +1,12 @@
 # Ensure typing constructs and models are available globally for FastAPI type annotation evaluation
+import os
+
+# Print env vars immediately - BEFORE any imports
+print(f"[app.py] EARLY - PORT={os.getenv('PORT')}, HOST={os.getenv('HOST')}", flush=True)
+
 import typing
 import builtins
+import builtins
 
 # Make common typing constructs available globally
 builtins.Optional = typing.Optional
diff --git a/backend/gunicorn_config.py b/backend/gunicorn_config.py
index 08291d2e..78c67781 100644
--- a/backend/gunicorn_config.py
+++ b/backend/gunicorn_config.py
@@ -25,8 +25,9 @@ accesslog = "-"
 errorlog = "-"
 loglevel = os.getenv("LOG_LEVEL", "info").lower()
 
-# Preload app (set to False for faster startup if needed)
-preload_app = True
+# Don't preload - bind to port FIRST, then load worker
+# This fixes "No open ports detected" on Render
+preload_app = False
 
 
 def on_starting(server):