diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 75aff218e..fb807fa66 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -31,18 +31,6 @@ services:
     depends_on:
       postgres:
         condition: service_healthy
-  
-  redis:
-    image: "redis:6.0.9-alpine"
-    container_name: "omnivore-redis"
-    ports:
-      - "6379:6379"
-    healthcheck:
-      test: ["CMD", "redis-cli", "ping"]
-      interval: 15s
-      timeout: 90s
-    expose:
-      - 6379
 
   api:
     build:
diff --git a/packages/api/src/server.ts b/packages/api/src/server.ts
index 2380e3c37..0cf7cad88 100755
--- a/packages/api/src/server.ts
+++ b/packages/api/src/server.ts
@@ -158,7 +158,10 @@ const main = async (): Promise<void> => {
   // as healthy.
   await appDataSource.initialize()
 
-  await redisClient.connect()
+  // redis is optional
+  if (env.redis.url) {
+    await redisClient.connect()
+  }
 
   const { app, apollo, httpServer } = createApp()
 
diff --git a/packages/api/src/services/library_item.ts b/packages/api/src/services/library_item.ts
index c68e6526d..8478f33f3 100644
--- a/packages/api/src/services/library_item.ts
+++ b/packages/api/src/services/library_item.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { EntityLabel } from '../entity/entity_label'
 import { Highlight } from '../entity/highlight'
 import { Label } from '../entity/label'
 import { LibraryItem, LibraryItemState } from '../entity/library_item'
+import { env } from '../env'
 import { BulkActionType, InputMaybe, SortParams } from '../generated/graphql'
 import { createPubSubClient, EntityType } from '../pubsub'
 import {
@@ -818,7 +819,10 @@ export const createLibraryItem = async (
     userId
   )
 
-  await setRecentlySavedItemInRedis(userId, newLibraryItem.originalUrl)
+  // set recently saved item in redis if redis is enabled
+  if (env.redis.url) {
+    await setRecentlySavedItemInRedis(userId, newLibraryItem.originalUrl)
+  }
 
   if (skipPubSub) {
     return newLibraryItem