diff --git a/rel/env.sh.eex b/rel/env.sh.eex
index 86e387fb2..2349868fe 100644
--- a/rel/env.sh.eex
+++ b/rel/env.sh.eex
@@ -15,7 +15,10 @@
 # the one below (my_app@127.0.0.1), you need to also uncomment the
 # RELEASE_DISTRIBUTION variable below. Must be "sname", "name" or "none".
 export RELEASE_DISTRIBUTION=name
-export RELEASE_NODE=<%= @release.name %>@127.0.0.1
+# RELEASE_NAME is guaranteed to be set by the start script and defaults to 'firezone'
+# set RELEASE_NAME in the environment to a unique value when running multiple instances
+# in the same network namespace (i.e. with host networking in Podman)
+export RELEASE_NODE=$RELEASE_NAME@127.0.0.1
 
 # Choices here are 'interactive' and 'embedded'. 'interactive' boots faster which
 # prevents some runit process management edge cases at the expense of the application