diff --git a/server/Makefile b/server/Makefile
index 81b31cbb32..e4beefac0c 100644
--- a/server/Makefile
+++ b/server/Makefile
@@ -515,6 +515,7 @@ cover: ## Runs the golang coverage tool. You must run the unit tests first.
 	$(GO) tool cover -html=cover.out
 	$(GO) tool cover -html=ecover.out
 
+test-data: export MM_SERVICESETTINGS_ENABLELOCALMODE := true
 test-data: run-server inject-test-data stop-server ## start a local instance and add test data to it.
 
 inject-test-data: # add test data to the local instance.
@@ -522,8 +523,6 @@ inject-test-data: # add test data to the local instance.
 		make stop-server; \
 	fi
 
-	@echo ServiceSettings.EnableLocalMode must be set to true.
-
 	bin/mmctl config set TeamSettings.MaxUsersPerTeam 100 --local
 	bin/mmctl sampledata -u 60 --local