diff --git a/thrillwiki/settings.py b/thrillwiki/settings.py
index 074fc7dc..a1ca56b4 100644
--- a/thrillwiki/settings.py
+++ b/thrillwiki/settings.py
@@ -93,16 +93,19 @@ WSGI_APPLICATION = "thrillwiki.wsgi.application"
 
 # Database
 
-DATABASES = {
-    "default": dj_database_url.config(
-        default="[DATABASE-URL-REMOVED]
-        conn_max_age=600,
-        conn_health_checks=True,
-    )
-}
+# Parse database URL but use PostGIS engine
+db_config = dj_database_url.config(
+    default="[DATABASE-URL-REMOVED]
+    conn_max_age=600,
+    conn_health_checks=True,
+)
 
-# Ensure PostGIS backend is used
-DATABASES["default"]["ENGINE"] = "django.contrib.gis.db.backends.postgis"
+# Override engine to use PostGIS
+db_config["ENGINE"] = "django.contrib.gis.db.backends.postgis"
+
+DATABASES = {
+    "default": db_config
+}
 
 # Cache settings
 CACHES = {