diff --git a/build/base.Dockerfile b/build/base.Dockerfile
index 286b06b..7ea7e77 100644
--- a/build/base.Dockerfile
+++ b/build/base.Dockerfile
@@ -4,5 +4,8 @@ FROM python:3.12
 # copy the requirements file into the image
 COPY ./requirements.txt /app/requirements.txt
 
+# switch working directory
+WORKDIR /app
+
 # install the dependencies and packages in the requirements file
 RUN pip install -r requirements.txt
\ No newline at end of file