diff --git a/config/initializers/okcomputer.rb b/config/initializers/okcomputer.rb
index 5f07ad33..bf60e3d9 100644
--- a/config/initializers/okcomputer.rb
+++ b/config/initializers/okcomputer.rb
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 # Health check configuration
 OkComputer.logger = Rails.logger
-OkComputer.check_in_parallel = true
+OkComputer.check_in_parallel = ActiveModel::Type::Boolean.new.cast(ENV.fetch('OKCOMPUTER_CHECK_IN_PARALLEL', false))
 
 class AlmaPatronCheck < OkComputer::Check
   TEST_PATRON_ID = '000311@lbl.gov'