diff --git a/api/config/settings/common.py b/api/config/settings/common.py
index 0003f133c..df0c0a0a0 100644
--- a/api/config/settings/common.py
+++ b/api/config/settings/common.py
@@ -892,3 +892,5 @@ MODERATION_EMAIL_NOTIFICATIONS_ENABLED = env.bool(
 # Delay in days after signup before we show the "support us" messages
 INSTANCE_SUPPORT_MESSAGE_DELAY = env.int("INSTANCE_SUPPORT_MESSAGE_DELAY", default=15)
 FUNKWHALE_SUPPORT_MESSAGE_DELAY = env.int("FUNKWHALE_SUPPORT_MESSAGE_DELAY", default=15)
+
+PLUGINS_FAIL_LOUDLY = env.bool("PLUGINS_FAIL_LOUDLY", default=False)
diff --git a/dev.yml b/dev.yml
index eaa7ca8d3..2f5566a72 100644
--- a/dev.yml
+++ b/dev.yml
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ services:
       - "CACHE_URL=redis://redis:6379/0"
       - "STATIC_ROOT=/staticfiles"
       - "MEDIA_ROOT=/data/media"
+      - "PLUGINS_FAIL_LOUDLY=True"
 
     depends_on:
       - postgres
@@ -95,6 +96,7 @@ services:
       - "DATABASE_URL=postgresql://postgres@postgres/postgres"
       - "CACHE_URL=redis://redis:6379/0"
       - "MEDIA_ROOT=/data/media"
+      - "PLUGINS_FAIL_LOUDLY=True"
     volumes:
       - ./api:/app
       - "${MUSIC_DIRECTORY_SERVE_PATH-./data/music}:/music:ro"