diff --git a/sample.env b/sample.env
index 105ca6f49e0..5b192f3df42 100644
--- a/sample.env
+++ b/sample.env
@@ -59,7 +59,6 @@ SHOW_DAILY_CODING_CHALLENGES=true
 # ---------------------
 # New API
 # ---------------------
-NODE_ENV=development
 FCC_ENABLE_SWAGGER_UI=true
 FCC_ENABLE_DEV_LOGIN_MODE=true
 FCC_ENABLE_SHADOW_CAPTURE=false