diff --git a/config/puma.rb b/config/puma.rb
index 9157f6ba..d0e2b212 100644
--- a/config/puma.rb
+++ b/config/puma.rb
@@ -44,7 +44,13 @@ preload_app!
 plugin :tmp_restart
 
 # If env var is set or we're in development, solid_queue will run in puma
-plugin :solid_queue if ENV['SOLID_QUEUE_IN_PUMA'] || Rails.env.development?
+if ENV['SOLID_QUEUE_IN_PUMA'] || ENV.fetch('RAILS_ENV', 'development') == 'development'
+  begin
+    plugin :solid_queue
+  rescue => e
+    puts "Failed to load solid_queue plugin: #{e.message}"
+  end
+end
 
 # Prometheus exporter
 if ENV['PROMETHEUS_EXPORTER_ENABLED'].to_s == 'true'