diff --git a/zproject/dev_settings.py b/zproject/dev_settings.py
index 9f90f459f1..afe34456ec 100644
--- a/zproject/dev_settings.py
+++ b/zproject/dev_settings.py
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ if FAKE_LDAP_MODE:
 
 THUMBNAIL_IMAGES = True
 
-SEARCH_PILLS_ENABLED = bool(os.getenv("SEARCH_PILLS_ENABLED", False))
+SEARCH_PILLS_ENABLED = bool(os.getenv("SEARCH_PILLS_ENABLED"))
 
 BILLING_ENABLED = True
 LANDING_PAGE_NAVBAR_MESSAGE: Optional[str] = None