diff --git a/file_upload_service.py b/file_upload_service.py
index 8ff4f45..1a92be1 100644
--- a/file_upload_service.py
+++ b/file_upload_service.py
@@ -30,7 +30,10 @@ ALLOWED_EXTENSIONS = {'jpg', 'jpeg', 'png', 'gif'}
 ALLOWED_MIME_TYPES = {'image/jpeg', 'image/png', 'image/gif'}
 MAX_FILE_SIZE = 5 * 1024 * 1024  # 5MB
 MAX_IMAGE_DIMENSIONS = (4096, 4096)  # Max 4K resolution
-UPLOAD_BASE_PATH = 'static/uploads/forum'
+
+# Get absolute path based on this file's location
+_BASE_DIR = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
+UPLOAD_BASE_PATH = os.path.join(_BASE_DIR, 'static', 'uploads', 'forum')
 
 # Magic bytes for image validation
 IMAGE_SIGNATURES = {
@@ -211,7 +214,7 @@ class FileUploadService:
                 clean_img.save(file_path, **save_kwargs)
 
             file_size = os.path.getsize(file_path)
-            relative_path = os.path.relpath(file_path, 'static')
+            relative_path = os.path.relpath(file_path, os.path.join(_BASE_DIR, 'static'))
 
             logger.info(f"Saved forum attachment: {stored_filename} ({file_size} bytes)")
             return stored_filename, relative_path, file_size, mime_type
@@ -222,7 +225,7 @@ class FileUploadService:
             file.seek(0)
             file.save(file_path)
             file_size = os.path.getsize(file_path)
-            relative_path = os.path.relpath(file_path, 'static')
+            relative_path = os.path.relpath(file_path, os.path.join(_BASE_DIR, 'static'))
             return stored_filename, relative_path, file_size, mime_type
 
     @staticmethod