diff --git a/config/application.rb b/config/application.rb
index 0874b680e..64d79e477 100644
--- a/config/application.rb
+++ b/config/application.rb
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class Application < Rails::Application
     config.asset_host = ENV.fetch("ASSET_HOST", nil)
 
     config.action_mailer.notify_settings = {
-      api_key: Rails.application.credentials.notify_api_key || "fake-test-api-key",
+      api_key: ENV["GOVUK_NOTIFY_API_KEY"] || "fake-test-api-key",
     }
 
     config.generators do |g|