diff --git a/docs/index.md b/docs/index.md
index ba4b07d..77f6c10 100644
--- a/docs/index.md
+++ b/docs/index.md
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 
     ```python
     from skaha.models import ContainerRegistry
+
     registry = ContainerRegistry()
     ```
 
diff --git a/skaha/models.py b/skaha/models.py
index cd5cf4b..ab66cc7 100644
--- a/skaha/models.py
+++ b/skaha/models.py
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@
 from pydantic import BaseModel, ConfigDict, Field, field_validator, model_validator
 from typing_extensions import Self
 
+from skaha.utils import logs
+
+log = logs.get_logger(__name__)
+
 KINDS = Literal["desktop", "notebook", "carta", "headless"]
 STATUS = Literal["Pending", "Running", "Terminating", "Succeeded", "Error"]
 VIEW = Literal["all"]
@@ -161,7 +165,8 @@ def _check_secret(cls, value: str) -> str:
             str: Validated value.
         """
         if not value:
-            environ.get("SKAHA_REGISTRY_SECRET", None)
+            value = environ.get("SKAHA_REGISTRY_SECRET", None)  # type: ignore
+            log.info("Using SKAHA_REGISTRY_SECRET from environment")
         assert value, "secret is required"
         return value
 
diff --git a/uv.lock b/uv.lock
index 695f21f..a2da75e 100644
--- a/uv.lock
+++ b/uv.lock
@@ -1532,7 +1532,7 @@ wheels = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "skaha"
-version = "1.4.0"
+version = "1.4.1"
 source = { virtual = "." }
 dependencies = [
     { name = "click" },