diff --git a/backend/config.py b/backend/config.py
index f742e70f5..894663a6d 100644
--- a/backend/config.py
+++ b/backend/config.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
 # Debugging-related
 
-SHOULD_MOCK_AI_RESPONSE = bool(os.environ.get("MOCK", False))
+SHOULD_MOCK_AI_RESPONSE = os.environ.get("MOCK", "") == "True"
 IS_DEBUG_ENABLED = bool(os.environ.get("IS_DEBUG_ENABLED", False))
 DEBUG_DIR = os.environ.get("DEBUG_DIR", "")