diff --git a/src/zulip_write_only_proxy/main.py b/src/zulip_write_only_proxy/main.py
index 1a606b0f..7033fcc0 100644
--- a/src/zulip_write_only_proxy/main.py
+++ b/src/zulip_write_only_proxy/main.py
@@ -8,9 +8,8 @@ def create_app():
     from . import routers, services
     from ._logging import RequestLoggingMiddleware
     from .settings import configure as configure_settings
-    from .settings import settings
 
-    configure_settings()
+    settings = configure_settings()
 
     @asynccontextmanager
     async def lifespan(app: fastapi.FastAPI):
@@ -91,9 +90,8 @@ def get_trusted_hosts(logger):  # pragma: no cover
 
     from . import _logging, get_logger
     from .settings import configure as configure_settings
-    from .settings import settings
 
-    configure_settings()
+    settings = configure_settings()
 
     _logging.configure(settings.debug, add_call_site_parameters=False)