diff --git a/kubetix-api/main.py b/kubetix-api/main.py
index 32b6dde..c01a18d 100644
--- a/kubetix-api/main.py
+++ b/kubetix-api/main.py
@@ -24,27 +24,13 @@
 # Rate limiting (optional)
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-try:
-    from slowapi import Limiter, _rate_limit_exceeded_handler
-    from slowapi.util import get_remote_address
-    from slowapi.errors import RateLimitExceeded
-
-    HAS_RATE_LIMITING = True
-    limiter = Limiter(
-        key_func=get_remote_address, default_limits=["200 per day", "50 per hour"]
-    )
-except ImportError:
-    HAS_RATE_LIMITING = False
-
-    # No-op limiter so decorators always work regardless of rate limiting config.
-    class _NoOpLimiter:
-        def limit(self, *args, **kwargs):
-            def decorator(f):
-                return f
-
-            return decorator
+from slowapi import Limiter, _rate_limit_exceeded_handler
+from slowapi.errors import RateLimitExceeded
+from slowapi.util import get_remote_address
 
-    limiter = _NoOpLimiter()
+limiter = Limiter(
+    key_func=get_remote_address, default_limits=["200 per day", "50 per hour"]
+)
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # CORS middleware
@@ -149,14 +135,8 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
     lifespan=lifespan,
 )
 
-if HAS_RATE_LIMITING:
-    app.state.limiter = limiter
-    app.add_exception_handler(RateLimitExceeded, _rate_limit_exceeded_handler)
-    # Register slowapi startup handler (compatible with all FastAPI versions)
-    if hasattr(app, "add_event_handler"):
-        app.add_event_handler("startup", limiter.slowapi_startup)
-    else:
-        app.on_event("startup")(limiter.slowapi_startup)
+app.state.limiter = limiter
+app.add_exception_handler(RateLimitExceeded, _rate_limit_exceeded_handler)
 
 app.add_middleware(
     CORSMiddleware,
diff --git a/kubetix-api/requirements.txt b/kubetix-api/requirements.txt
index 7f448e2..158431a 100644
--- a/kubetix-api/requirements.txt
+++ b/kubetix-api/requirements.txt
@@ -7,3 +7,4 @@ python-multipart==0.0.32
 pydantic==2.13.4
 cryptography==49.0.0
 httpx==0.28.1
+slowapi==0.1.9