diff --git a/apps/backend/src/core/config/env.ts b/apps/backend/src/core/config/env.ts
index 7abdc1f1..6f2fb5d6 100644
--- a/apps/backend/src/core/config/env.ts
+++ b/apps/backend/src/core/config/env.ts
@@ -60,7 +60,9 @@ const server = z.object({
 		.string()
 		.length(64)
 		.regex(/^[0-9a-f]+$/i, 'Must be a hex string'),
-	DISABLE_RATE_LIMITING: z.boolean().default(false),
+	DISABLE_RATE_LIMITING: z
+		.union([z.boolean(), z.string().transform((val) => val === 'true')])
+		.default(false),
 });
 
 // Don't touch the part below
diff --git a/apps/backend/src/core/server.ts b/apps/backend/src/core/server.ts
index 9921f440..6a6f3eef 100644
--- a/apps/backend/src/core/server.ts
+++ b/apps/backend/src/core/server.ts
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ export class Server {
 		// Add middleware to attach user info to request before all handlers
 		this.server.addHook('preHandler', addUserToRequestMiddleware);
 
-		if (!IN_TEST || !env.DISABLE_RATE_LIMITING) {
+		if (!IN_TEST || env.DISABLE_RATE_LIMITING === true) {
 			await this.server.register(fastifyRateLimit, {
 				hook: 'preHandler',
 				keyGenerator: (request) => {