diff --git a/ping.py b/ping.py
index fff66cf..17772e4 100644
--- a/ping.py
+++ b/ping.py
@@ -11,13 +11,13 @@ import subprocess
 file = "status.json"
 
 
-#dictionary containing current server hostnames/ips
+#creating dictionary containing current server hostnames/ips from json
 
-servers = {
-    "link": "1.2.3.4",
-    "ganon": "5.6.7.8",
-    "zelda": "9.10.1.12",
-}
+try:
+    with open("/root/servers.json") as f:
+        servers = json.load(f)
+except FileNotFoundError:
+    raise RuntimeError("servers json file not found")