diff --git a/server/channels/app/platform/service.go b/server/channels/app/platform/service.go
index 5e57dfe3c4..36cde084ae 100644
--- a/server/channels/app/platform/service.go
+++ b/server/channels/app/platform/service.go
@@ -361,9 +361,12 @@ func New(sc ServiceConfig, options ...Option) (*PlatformService, error) {
 
 	ps.Busy = NewBusy(ps.clusterIFace)
 
-	// Enable developer settings if this is a "dev" build
+	// Enable developer settings and mmctl local mode if this is a "dev" build
 	if model.BuildNumber == "dev" {
-		ps.UpdateConfig(func(cfg *model.Config) { *cfg.ServiceSettings.EnableDeveloper = true })
+		ps.UpdateConfig(func(cfg *model.Config) {
+			*cfg.ServiceSettings.EnableDeveloper = true
+			*cfg.ServiceSettings.EnableLocalMode = true
+		})
 	}
 
 	ps.AddLicenseListener(func(oldLicense, newLicense *model.License) {