diff --git a/backend/config/settings.py b/backend/config/settings.py
index de12d0c..b0256bb 100644
--- a/backend/config/settings.py
+++ b/backend/config/settings.py
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ else:
 SECRET_KEY = env("SECRET_KEY")
 
 # SECURITY WARNING: don't run with debug turned on in production!
-DEBUG = env("DEBUG")
+DEBUG = env("DEBUG", default="false").lower().strip() == "true"
 
 
 # Application definition