diff --git a/lightrag/api/lightrag_server.py b/lightrag/api/lightrag_server.py
index 47513b77..c4f4a3b1 100644
--- a/lightrag/api/lightrag_server.py
+++ b/lightrag/api/lightrag_server.py
@@ -328,8 +328,7 @@ def create_app(args):
 
             # In Gunicorn mode with preload_app=True, cleanup is handled by worker_exit/on_exit hooks
             # Only perform cleanup in Uvicorn single-process mode
-            if "GUNICORN_CMD_ARGS" not in os.environ:
-
+            if "LIGHTRAG_GUNICORN_MODE" not in os.environ:
                 # Clean up shared data
                 finalize_share_data()
 
diff --git a/lightrag/api/run_with_gunicorn.py b/lightrag/api/run_with_gunicorn.py
index 5ad0c5b5..c5f7cb5c 100644
--- a/lightrag/api/run_with_gunicorn.py
+++ b/lightrag/api/run_with_gunicorn.py
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ def check_and_install_dependencies():
 
 
 def main():
+    # Set Gunicorn mode flag for lifespan cleanup detection
+    os.environ["LIGHTRAG_GUNICORN_MODE"] = "1"
+
     # Check .env file
     if not check_env_file():
         sys.exit(1)