diff --git a/moderation/backend-py/main.py b/moderation/backend-py/main.py
index 0474bfe..838aa5a 100644
--- a/moderation/backend-py/main.py
+++ b/moderation/backend-py/main.py
@@ -10,7 +10,8 @@ import uvicorn
 
 from config import settings
 from database import connect_db, close_db
-from middleware import setup_middleware  # middleware.py (file), not middleware/ (directory)
+# Import from middleware.py file (not directory)
+import middleware as app_middleware
 from routes.mod_app import router as mod_app_router
 from routes.moderation_auth import router as moderation_auth_router
 from websocket_server import get_socketio_app
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ app.add_middleware(
 )
 
 # Setup middleware (security, logging, etc.)
-setup_middleware(app)
+app_middleware.setup_middleware(app)
 
 # Health check
 @app.get("/health")
diff --git a/moderation/backend-py/middleware/__init__.py b/moderation/backend-py/middleware/__init__.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 4364de6..0000000
--- a/moderation/backend-py/middleware/__init__.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-# Middleware package
-# Note: setup_middleware is in middleware.py (file), not here
-