diff --git a/packages/api/src/routers/auth/auth_router.ts b/packages/api/src/routers/auth/auth_router.ts
index da7443587..e9e288e1a 100644
--- a/packages/api/src/routers/auth/auth_router.ts
+++ b/packages/api/src/routers/auth/auth_router.ts
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ export function authRouter() {
         recaptchaToken,
       } = req.body
 
-      if (recaptchaToken) {
+      if (recaptchaToken && process.env.RECAPTCHA_CHALLENGE_SECRET_KEY) {
         const verified = await verifyChallengeRecaptcha(recaptchaToken)
         if (!verified) {
           return res.redirect(
diff --git a/packages/web/components/templates/auth/EmailSignup.tsx b/packages/web/components/templates/auth/EmailSignup.tsx
index 9cd21d206..f5b71916d 100644
--- a/packages/web/components/templates/auth/EmailSignup.tsx
+++ b/packages/web/components/templates/auth/EmailSignup.tsx
@@ -180,16 +180,24 @@ export function EmailSignup(): JSX.Element {
 
           <SignUpForm />
 
-          <Recaptcha
-            setRecaptchaToken={(token) => {
-              if (recaptchaTokenRef.current) {
-                recaptchaTokenRef.current.value = token
-              } else {
-                console.log('error updating recaptcha token')
-              }
-            }}
-          />
-          <input ref={recaptchaTokenRef} type="hidden" name="recaptchaToken" />
+          {process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_RECAPTCHA_CHALLENGE_SECRET_KEY && (
+            <>
+              <Recaptcha
+                setRecaptchaToken={(token) => {
+                  if (recaptchaTokenRef.current) {
+                    recaptchaTokenRef.current.value = token
+                  } else {
+                    console.log('error updating recaptcha token')
+                  }
+                }}
+              />
+              <input
+                ref={recaptchaTokenRef}
+                type="hidden"
+                name="recaptchaToken"
+              />
+            </>
+          )}
 
           {errorMessage && (
             <StyledText style="error">{errorMessage}</StyledText>