diff --git a/backend/config.py b/backend/config.py
index feb65305b..be51f3065 100644
--- a/backend/config.py
+++ b/backend/config.py
@@ -289,12 +289,11 @@ DEFAULT_PROMPT_SUGGESTIONS = (
 
 DEFAULT_USER_ROLE = os.getenv("DEFAULT_USER_ROLE", "pending")
 
-USER_PERMISSIONS_CHAT_DELETION = os.getenv('USER_PERMISSIONS_CHAT_DELETION', 'True')
+USER_PERMISSIONS_CHAT_DELETION = (
+    os.environ.get("USER_PERMISSIONS_CHAT_DELETION", "True").lower() == "true"
+)
 
-if USER_PERMISSIONS_CHAT_DELETION not in ('True', 'False'):
-    raise ValueError(ERROR_MESSAGES.INCORRECT_FORMAT("  (e.g., True/False)."))
-
-USER_PERMISSIONS = {"chat": {"deletion": USER_PERMISSIONS_CHAT_DELETION == 'True'}}
+USER_PERMISSIONS = {"chat": {"deletion": USER_PERMISSIONS_CHAT_DELETION}}
 
 
 MODEL_FILTER_ENABLED = os.environ.get("MODEL_FILTER_ENABLED", False)