diff --git a/consultation_analyser/consultations/dummy_data.py b/consultation_analyser/consultations/dummy_data.py
index 41a54644..d7d0a1ca 100644
--- a/consultation_analyser/consultations/dummy_data.py
+++ b/consultation_analyser/consultations/dummy_data.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from django.conf import settings  # replace with HostingEnvironment
+from consultation_analyser.hosting_environment import HostingEnvironment
 from tests.factories import (
     FakeConsultationData,
     QuestionFactory,
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
 class DummyConsultation:
     def __init__(self, responses=10, **options):
-        if not settings.DEBUG:
+        if not HostingEnvironment.is_local():
             raise RuntimeError("Dummy data generation should only be run in development")
 
         consultation = ConsultationFactory(**options)
diff --git a/tests/commands/test_dummy_data.py b/tests/commands/test_dummy_data.py
index f4eb8f8a..4eff8fc6 100644
--- a/tests/commands/test_dummy_data.py
+++ b/tests/commands/test_dummy_data.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import pytest
+from unittest.mock import patch
 from io import StringIO
 from consultation_analyser.consultations.models import Consultation
 
@@ -6,9 +7,8 @@
 
 
 @pytest.mark.django_db
-def test_name_parameter_sets_consultation_name(settings):
-    settings.DEBUG = True  # command will only work in DEBUG
-
+@patch("consultation_analyser.hosting_environment.HostingEnvironment.is_local", return_value=True)
+def test_name_parameter_sets_consultation_name(mock_is_local):
     call_command(
         "generate_dummy_data",
         name="My special consultation",
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_generate_dummy_data.py b/tests/unit/test_generate_dummy_data.py
index 94fdf733..0fd0eed0 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_generate_dummy_data.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_generate_dummy_data.py
@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 import pytest
+from unittest.mock import patch
 
 from consultation_analyser.consultations.dummy_data import DummyConsultation
 from consultation_analyser.consultations.models import Consultation, Question, Answer
 
 
 @pytest.mark.django_db
+@patch("consultation_analyser.hosting_environment.HostingEnvironment.is_local", return_value=True)
 def test_a_consultation_is_generated(settings):
-    settings.DEBUG = True
     assert Consultation.objects.count() == 0
 
     DummyConsultation()
@@ -17,8 +18,7 @@ def test_a_consultation_is_generated(settings):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.django_db
+@patch("consultation_analyser.hosting_environment.HostingEnvironment.is_local", return_value=False)
 def test_the_tool_will_only_run_in_dev(settings):
-    settings.DEBUG = False
-
     with pytest.raises(Exception, match=r"should only be run in development"):
         DummyConsultation()