diff --git a/internal/auth/validator.go b/internal/auth/validator.go
index d7da43d..3a033de 100644
--- a/internal/auth/validator.go
+++ b/internal/auth/validator.go
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import (
 // ValidateAuthConfig enforces authentication requirements
 func (c *AuthConfig) ValidateAuthConfig() error {
 	// Check if we're in production environment
-	isProduction := os.Getenv("FETCH_ML_ENV") == "production"
+	isProduction := os.Getenv("FETCH_ML_ENV") == "prod"
 
 	if isProduction {
 		if !c.Enabled {