diff --git a/export_todoist.py b/export_todoist.py
index 4928cf9..9203996 100644
--- a/export_todoist.py
+++ b/export_todoist.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import os
 import sys
 import json
 import time
+import getpass
 from collections import defaultdict
 import requests
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta
@@ -36,8 +37,15 @@ def usage():
 def get_api_key():
     key = os.environ.get("TODOIST_KEY")
     if not key:
-        print("Error: TODOIST_KEY environment variable not set.")
-        sys.exit(1)
+        try:
+            key = getpass.getpass("The TODOIST_KEY environment variable is not set. Enter TODOIST API key to continue: ").strip()
+        except (EOFError, KeyboardInterrupt):
+            print("\nError: TODOIST API key is required.")
+            sys.exit(1)
+        if not key:
+            print("Error: TODOIST API key is required.")
+            sys.exit(1)
+        os.environ["TODOIST_KEY"] = key
     return key