diff --git a/config/initializers/hypershield.rb b/config/initializers/hypershield.rb
index cc0a8d6ca..0adc9ad7c 100644
--- a/config/initializers/hypershield.rb
+++ b/config/initializers/hypershield.rb
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 # further setup instructions: https://github.com/ankane/hypershield#database-setup
 
 if Rails.env.production?
+  Hypershield.enabled = ENV["ENABLE_HYPERSHIELD"].present?
+
   # Validate that hypershield schema exists before trying to use it
   begin
     if ActiveRecord::Base.connection.schema_exists?("hypershield")