diff --git a/src/main/java/io/cryostat/platform/AbstractPlatformClient.java b/src/main/java/io/cryostat/platform/AbstractPlatformClient.java
index c1cf63a0a3..89d55f781d 100644
--- a/src/main/java/io/cryostat/platform/AbstractPlatformClient.java
+++ b/src/main/java/io/cryostat/platform/AbstractPlatformClient.java
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ protected AbstractPlatformClient(Environment environment) {
 
     @Override
     public boolean isEnabled() {
-        return !environment.hasEnv(Variables.DISABLE_BUILTIN_DISCOVERY);
+        return !Boolean.parseBoolean(
+                environment.getEnv(Variables.DISABLE_BUILTIN_DISCOVERY, "false"));
     }
 
     @Override