diff --git a/lbrynet/conf.py b/lbrynet/conf.py
index 4f895d69b..b98abda6a 100644
--- a/lbrynet/conf.py
+++ b/lbrynet/conf.py
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ Some network wide and also application specific parameters
 import os
 
 is_generous_host = True
-IS_DEVELOPMENT_VERSION = False
+IS_DEVELOPMENT_VERSION = (os.environ.get('LBRY_DEV') is not None)
+
 
 MAX_HANDSHAKE_SIZE = 2**16
 MAX_REQUEST_SIZE = 2**16