diff --git a/lab/ppn_backend/settings_prod.py b/lab/ppn_backend/settings_prod.py
index f5a7bbcf..f2ad5fc9 100644
--- a/lab/ppn_backend/settings_prod.py
+++ b/lab/ppn_backend/settings_prod.py
@@ -54,11 +54,12 @@
 FRONTEND_URI = "https://" + getenv('LAB_SERVER')
 PARENT_URI = "https://" + getenv('PARENT_SERVER')
 
-try:
-    from .saml_settings import enable_saml
-    enable_saml(globals())
-except ImportError:
-    print("Proceeding without SAML")
+if not getenv('NO_SAML'):
+    try:
+        from .saml_settings import enable_saml
+        enable_saml(globals())
+    except ImportError:
+        print("Proceeding without SAML")
 
 
 # Email