diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/compose/production/django/Dockerfile b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/compose/production/django/Dockerfile
index 4b243b675..0fd8c6730 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/compose/production/django/Dockerfile
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/compose/production/django/Dockerfile
@@ -121,6 +121,8 @@ RUN chown django:django ${APP_HOME}
 
 USER django
 
-RUN python manage.py compilemessages
+RUN DATABASE_URL="" \
+  DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE="config.settings.test" \
+  python manage.py compilemessages
 
 ENTRYPOINT ["/entrypoint"]