diff --git a/config/dev.exs b/config/dev.exs
index 57630ea6b..e15a5c6fa 100644
--- a/config/dev.exs
+++ b/config/dev.exs
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ config :skate, SkateWeb.Endpoint,
   debug_errors: true,
   code_reloader: true,
   check_origin: false,
-  secret_key_base: "local_secret_key_base_at_least_64_bytes_________________________________",
   watchers: [
     node: [
       "node_modules/webpack/bin/webpack.js",
diff --git a/config/runtime.exs b/config/runtime.exs
index 0c4c25552..7195a2875 100644
--- a/config/runtime.exs
+++ b/config/runtime.exs
@@ -5,12 +5,15 @@ Application.ensure_all_started(:hackney)
 Application.ensure_all_started(:ex_aws)
 
 config :skate,
-  secret_key_base: System.get_env("SECRET_KEY_BASE"),
   restrict_environment_access?: System.get_env("RESTRICT_ENVIRONMENT_ACCESS") == "true",
   base_tileset_url: System.get_env("BASE_TILESET_URL"),
   satellite_tileset_url: System.get_env("SATELLITE_TILESET_URL"),
   aws_place_index: System.get_env("AWS_PLACE_INDEX")
 
+if System.get_env("SECRET_KEY_BASE") do
+  config :skate, SkateWeb.Endpoint, secret_key_base: System.get_env("SECRET_KEY_BASE")
+end
+
 config :skate, Skate.OpenRouteServiceAPI,
   api_base_url: System.get_env("OPEN_ROUTE_SERVICE_API_URL"),
   api_key: System.get_env("OPEN_ROUTE_SERVICE_API_KEY"),
diff --git a/lib/skate_web/endpoint.ex b/lib/skate_web/endpoint.ex
index af29b600b..4cf7cb122 100644
--- a/lib/skate_web/endpoint.ex
+++ b/lib/skate_web/endpoint.ex
@@ -46,19 +46,4 @@ defmodule SkateWeb.Endpoint do
     signing_salt: "jkUgGkwy"
 
   plug SkateWeb.Router
-
-  # callback for runtime configuration
-  def init(:supervisor, config) do
-    secret_key_base = Application.get_env(:skate, :secret_key_base)
-
-    config =
-      if secret_key_base do
-        Keyword.put(config, :secret_key_base, secret_key_base)
-      else
-        config[:secret_key_base] || raise "No SECRET_KEY_BASE ENV var!"
-        config
-      end
-
-    {:ok, config}
-  end
 end