diff --git a/tox.ini b/tox.ini
index bc74885..b848a35 100644
--- a/tox.ini
+++ b/tox.ini
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ docker =
     docker: minio-vlc
 setenv =
     COVERAGE_FILE = .coverage.{envname}
+    PG_SSL_MODE = allow
+
 allowlist_externals =
     poetry
 
@@ -27,11 +29,12 @@ allowlist_externals =
     coverage
 
 [docker:db-vlc]
-image = postgres:12
+image = postgres:16
 environment =
     POSTGRES_USER=vlc
     POSTGRES_PASSWORD=test
     POSTGRES_DB=test_virtual_library_card_dev
+
 expose =
     VLC_DEV_DB_PORT=5432/tcp
 host_var =
diff --git a/virtual_library_card/settings/dev.py b/virtual_library_card/settings/dev.py
index ff07581..ae17a91 100644
--- a/virtual_library_card/settings/dev.py
+++ b/virtual_library_card/settings/dev.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
         "PASSWORD": "test",
         "HOST": os.environ.get("VLC_DEV_DB_HOST", "pg"),
         "PORT": os.environ.get("VLC_DEV_DB_PORT", "5432"),
-        "OPTIONS": {"sslmode": "require"},
+        "OPTIONS": {"sslmode": os.environ.get("PG_SSL_MODE", "require")},
     }
 }