diff --git a/player.py b/player.py
index 3468874..e91c29b 100755
--- a/player.py
+++ b/player.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import mpv
 import threading
 import time
 import traceback
-from utils import hwdec
+from utils import hwdec, ao
 
 class Player:
 	"""MPV player wrapper with IPMPV-specific functionality."""
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ class Player:
 			log_handler=self.error_check,
 			vo='gpu',
 			hwdec=hwdec if hwdec is not None else 'auto-safe',
+            ao=ao if ao is not None else 'alsa',
 			demuxer_lavf_o='reconnect=1',
 			deinterlace='no',
 			keepaspect='no',
diff --git a/utils.py b/utils.py
index 7b1b0f8..63208fb 100755
--- a/utils.py
+++ b/utils.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ osd_corner_radius = os.environ.get("IPMPV_CORNER_RADIUS")
 ipmpv_retroarch_cmd = os.environ.get("IPMPV_RETROARCH_CMD")
 m3u_url = os.environ.get('IPMPV_M3U_URL')
 hwdec = os.environ.get('IPMPV_HWDEC')
+ao = os.environ.get('IPMPV_AO')
 
 def setup_environment():
     """Set up environment variables."""