diff --git a/backend/config.py b/backend/config.py
index effcd2462..df24b97e4 100644
--- a/backend/config.py
+++ b/backend/config.py
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ if OPENAI_API_BASE_URL == "":
 # WEBUI
 ####################################
 
-ENABLE_SIGNUP = os.environ.get("ENABLE_SIGNUP", True)
+ENABLE_SIGNUP = os.environ.get("ENABLE_SIGNUP", "True").lower() == "true"
 DEFAULT_MODELS = os.environ.get("DEFAULT_MODELS", None)