diff --git a/doc/content/cmems_example.ipynb b/doc/content/cmems_example.ipynb
index 8c02936..77989d1 100644
--- a/doc/content/cmems_example.ipynb
+++ b/doc/content/cmems_example.ipynb
@@ -103,8 +103,20 @@
    "metadata": {},
    "outputs": [],
    "source": [
-    "# Load environment variables from .env file\n",
-    "load_dotenv()"
+    "# Try to load .env file (for local development)\n",
+    "try:\n",
+    "    load_dotenv()\n",
+    "    print(\"Loaded .env file (local development)\")\n",
+    "except:\n",
+    "    print(\"No .env file found (using environment variables)\")\n",
+    "    # Verify credentials are available\n",
+    "    username = os.getenv(\"COPERNICUSMARINE_SERVICE_USERNAME\")\n",
+    "    password = os.getenv(\"COPERNICUSMARINE_SERVICE_PASSWORD\")\n",
+    "\n",
+    "if username and password:\n",
+    "    print(\"✅ Credentials loaded successfully\")\n",
+    "else:\n",
+    "    print(\"❌ Credentials not found\")"
    ]
   },
   {