diff --git a/.env-template b/.env-template
index a837fdc7..f19ad98f 100644
--- a/.env-template
+++ b/.env-template
@@ -35,3 +35,4 @@ REACT_APP_ENV=production
 #
 
 REACT_APP_AVAILABILITY_ENABLED=true
+REACT_APP_DEFAULT_SEARCHES_ENABLED=true
diff --git a/src/config.js b/src/config.js
index fcee6962..32fd24ed 100644
--- a/src/config.js
+++ b/src/config.js
@@ -283,7 +283,8 @@ const maps = {
 
     // Example location can be edited in the
     // `default-location-searches.js` file.
-    defaults: defaultLocationSearches,
+    defaults:
+      process.env.REACT_APP_DEFAULT_SEARCHES_ENABLED === 'true' ? defaultLocationSearches : [],
   },
 
   // When fuzzy locations are enabled, coordinates on maps are