diff --git a/DEPLOYMENT.md b/DEPLOYMENT.md
index 32c8d4c..91d8b7a 100644
--- a/DEPLOYMENT.md
+++ b/DEPLOYMENT.md
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ docker compose up -d --build
 ### Persistent data
 
 The compose file stores:
-- `config.json` — saved channel settings
+- `data/config.json` — saved channel settings
 - `recordings/` — temporary meeting audio
 
 ### CasaOS setup
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ Use a persistent directory like:
 ```
 
 Mount it so the container sees:
-- `/app/config.json`
+- `/app/data`
 - `/app/recordings`
 
 Make sure the container gets these environment variables:
diff --git a/config.py b/config.py
index 4785148..3c95eb3 100644
--- a/config.py
+++ b/config.py
@@ -1,12 +1,16 @@
 import json
-import aiofiles
+import os
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Optional
 
-CONFIG_PATH = Path("config.json")
+import aiofiles
+
+CONFIG_PATH = Path(os.getenv("CONFIG_PATH", "/app/data/config.json"))
 
 
 async def load_config() -> dict:
+    if CONFIG_PATH.is_dir():
+        return {}
     if not CONFIG_PATH.exists():
         return {}
     async with aiofiles.open(CONFIG_PATH, "r") as f:
@@ -15,6 +19,7 @@ async def load_config() -> dict:
 
 
 async def save_config(config: dict) -> None:
+    CONFIG_PATH.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
     async with aiofiles.open(CONFIG_PATH, "w") as f:
         await f.write(json.dumps(config, indent=2))
 
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 664db9b..7d6eeb9 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ services:
     env_file:
       - .env
     volumes:
-      - ./config.json:/app/config.json
+      - ./data:/app/data
       - ./recordings:/app/recordings
     logging:
       driver: json-file