diff --git a/.env b/.env
index 40c4e09b..dd38ba31 100644
--- a/.env
+++ b/.env
@@ -41,3 +41,4 @@ ACCOUNT_PROFILE_URL=''
 ENABLE_NOTICES=''
 CAREER_LINK_URL=''
 ENABLE_EDX_PERSONAL_DASHBOARD=false
+ENABLE_PROGRAMS=false
diff --git a/.env.development b/.env.development
index 55cfa710..6685c05a 100644
--- a/.env.development
+++ b/.env.development
@@ -47,3 +47,4 @@ ACCOUNT_PROFILE_URL='http://localhost:1995'
 ENABLE_NOTICES=''
 CAREER_LINK_URL=''
 ENABLE_EDX_PERSONAL_DASHBOARD=false
+ENABLE_PROGRAMS=false
diff --git a/.env.test b/.env.test
index e66d42c8..0769651a 100644
--- a/.env.test
+++ b/.env.test
@@ -46,3 +46,4 @@ ACCOUNT_PROFILE_URL='http://account-profile-url.test'
 ENABLE_NOTICES=''
 CAREER_LINK_URL=''
 ENABLE_EDX_PERSONAL_DASHBOARD=true
+ENABLE_PROGRAMS=false
diff --git a/src/config/index.js b/src/config/index.js
index cdc867e7..e1bacea8 100644
--- a/src/config/index.js
+++ b/src/config/index.js
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ const configuration = {
   LOGO_URL: process.env.LOGO_URL,
   ENABLE_EDX_PERSONAL_DASHBOARD: process.env.ENABLE_EDX_PERSONAL_DASHBOARD === 'true',
   SEARCH_CATALOG_URL: process.env.SEARCH_CATALOG_URL || null,
-  ENABLE_PROGRAMS: !!process.env.ENABLE_PROGRAMS,
+  ENABLE_PROGRAMS: process.env.ENABLE_PROGRAMS === 'true',
 };
 
 const features = {};
diff --git a/src/containers/LearnerDashboardHeader/index.test.jsx b/src/containers/LearnerDashboardHeader/index.test.jsx
index 46384f6d..86eb1acf 100644
--- a/src/containers/LearnerDashboardHeader/index.test.jsx
+++ b/src/containers/LearnerDashboardHeader/index.test.jsx
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ describe('LearnerDashboardHeader', () => {
     const wrapper = shallow(<LearnerDashboardHeader />);
     expect(wrapper.instance.findByType(Header)[0].props.secondaryMenuItems.length).toBe(1);
   });
-  test('should display Programs link if the service is configured in the backend', () => {
+  test('should display Programs link if it is enabled by configuration', () => {
     mergeConfig({ ENABLE_PROGRAMS: true });
     const wrapper = shallow(<LearnerDashboardHeader />);
     expect(wrapper.instance.findByType(Header)[0].props.mainMenuItems.length).toBe(3);