diff --git a/lib/config.js b/lib/config.js
index 3ea4fe77..fd4aa753 100644
--- a/lib/config.js
+++ b/lib/config.js
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 /* eslint-disable no-console */
 const sync = require('./sync')
-const {CI, NODE_ENV, NOW_URL} = process.env
+const {NODE_ENV, NOW_URL} = process.env
 
 module.exports = (nextConfig = {}) => {
   const {assetPrefix = NOW_URL || ''} = nextConfig
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ module.exports = (nextConfig = {}) => {
 
       // only attempt to sync locally and in CI
       if (dev && !configured) {
-        sync({watch: !CI})
+        sync({watch: !NODE_ENV})
       }
 
       config.module.rules.push({