diff --git a/backend/main.go b/backend/main.go
index 234be66..59c869e 100644
--- a/backend/main.go
+++ b/backend/main.go
@@ -11,7 +11,12 @@ func main() {
 	fmt.Println("Welcome to lst backend where all the fun happens.")
 	r := gin.Default()
 
-	r.GET("/", errorLoc)
+
+	r.GET("/api/ping", func(c *gin.Context) {
+        c.JSON(200, gin.H{"message": "pong"})
+    })
+
+	r.Any("/", errorLoc)
 	r.Run(":8080")
 }