diff --git a/litellm/__init__.py b/litellm/__init__.py
index c5e407eb1f..4074c9e035 100644
--- a/litellm/__init__.py
+++ b/litellm/__init__.py
@@ -15,7 +15,9 @@ from litellm.proxy._types import (
 import httpx
 import dotenv
 
-dotenv.load_dotenv()
+litellm_mode = os.getenv("LITELLM_PRODUCTION_MODE", "DEV")  # "PRODUCTION", "DEV"
+if litellm_mode == "DEV":
+    dotenv.load_dotenv()
 #############################################
 if set_verbose == True:
     _turn_on_debug()
diff --git a/litellm/proxy/proxy_cli.py b/litellm/proxy/proxy_cli.py
index 0d0919e18b..f1d0b52e2e 100644
--- a/litellm/proxy/proxy_cli.py
+++ b/litellm/proxy/proxy_cli.py
@@ -11,7 +11,9 @@ sys.path.append(os.getcwd())
 
 config_filename = "litellm.secrets"
 
-load_dotenv()
+litellm_mode = os.getenv("LITELLM_PRODUCTION_MODE", "DEV")  # "PRODUCTION", "DEV"
+if litellm_mode == "DEV":
+    load_dotenv()
 from importlib import resources
 import shutil