diff --git a/public/javascripts/game.js b/public/javascripts/game.js
index 3f4145b..ce6cbb2 100644
--- a/public/javascripts/game.js
+++ b/public/javascripts/game.js
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 const canvas = document.getElementById('gameCanvas');
 const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
 
+// Load background image once, outside of any function
+const backgroundImage = new Image();
+backgroundImage.src = '/assets/images/background.png';
+
 let bricks = [];
 let paddle = { x: 175, y: 510, width: 75, height: 15 };
 let ball = { x: 200, y: 370, dx: 4, dy: -4, radius: 8 };
@@ -85,9 +89,7 @@ function update() {
     ctx.clearRect(0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height);
 
     // Draw background image
-    let background = new Image();
-    background.src = '/assets/images/background.png';
-    ctx.drawImage(background, 0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height);
+    ctx.drawImage(backgroundImage, 0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height);
 
     // Draw floor line
     ctx.beginPath();