diff --git a/apps/backend/src/api/routes/users.controller.ts b/apps/backend/src/api/routes/users.controller.ts
index 81bc575d..e8d52049 100644
--- a/apps/backend/src/api/routes/users.controller.ts
+++ b/apps/backend/src/api/routes/users.controller.ts
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ export class UsersController {
       // @ts-ignore
       totalChannels: organization?.subscription?.totalChannels || pricing.FREE.channel,
       // @ts-ignore
-      tier: organization?.subscription?.subscriptionTier || 'FREE',
+      tier: organization?.subscription?.subscriptionTier || (!process.env.STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY ? 'ULTIMATE' : 'FREE'),
       // @ts-ignore
       role: organization?.users[0]?.role,
       // @ts-ignore