diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/base.py b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/base.py
index 41f0f46cf..935a0d12a 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/base.py
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/base.py
@@ -131,6 +131,9 @@ AUTH_PASSWORD_VALIDATORS = [
 # https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/ref/settings/#middleware
 MIDDLEWARE = [
     "django.middleware.security.SecurityMiddleware",
+{%- if cookiecutter.use_whitenoise == 'y' %}
+    "whitenoise.middleware.WhiteNoiseMiddleware",
+{%- endif %}
     "django.contrib.sessions.middleware.SessionMiddleware",
     "django.middleware.locale.LocaleMiddleware",
     "django.middleware.common.CommonMiddleware",
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/local.py b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/local.py
index 2ab0a7cb4..015d8aff8 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/local.py
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/local.py
@@ -42,6 +42,14 @@ EMAIL_BACKEND = env(
 )
 {%- endif %}
 
+{%- if cookiecutter.use_whitenoise == 'y' %}
+
+# WhiteNoise
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# http://whitenoise.evans.io/en/latest/django.html#using-whitenoise-in-development
+INSTALLED_APPS = ["whitenoise.runserver_nostatic"] + INSTALLED_APPS  # noqa F405
+{% endif %}
+
 # django-debug-toolbar
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # https://django-debug-toolbar.readthedocs.io/en/latest/installation.html#prerequisites
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/production.py b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/production.py
index 712f2bf4a..22a2acaef 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/production.py
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/production.py
@@ -194,14 +194,7 @@ ANYMAIL = {
     "MAILGUN_API_URL": env("MAILGUN_API_URL", default="https://api.mailgun.net/v3"),
 }
 
-{% if cookiecutter.use_whitenoise == 'y' -%}
-# WhiteNoise
-# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# http://whitenoise.evans.io/en/latest/django.html#enable-whitenoise
-MIDDLEWARE.insert(1, "whitenoise.middleware.WhiteNoiseMiddleware")  # noqa F405
-
-{% endif %}
-{%- if cookiecutter.use_compressor == 'y' -%}
+{% if cookiecutter.use_compressor == 'y' -%}
 # django-compressor
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # https://django-compressor.readthedocs.io/en/latest/settings/#django.conf.settings.COMPRESS_ENABLED