diff --git a/py/circuitpy_mpconfig.mk b/py/circuitpy_mpconfig.mk
index f56d994789..b72eec7c5b 100644
--- a/py/circuitpy_mpconfig.mk
+++ b/py/circuitpy_mpconfig.mk
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ endif
 CFLAGS += -DCIRCUITPY_MATH=$(CIRCUITPY_MATH)
 
 ifndef CIRCUITPY_EVEL
-CIRCUITPY_EVEL = $(CIRCUITPY_ALWAYS_BUILD)
+CIRCUITPY_EVEL = 0
 endif
 CFLAGS += -DCIRCUITPY_EVEL=$(CIRCUITPY_EVEL)