diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/common.py b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/common.py
index c0c86b39..34ff52d9 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/common.py
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/common.py
@@ -16,7 +16,21 @@ ROOT_DIR = environ.Path(__file__) - 3  # ({{ cookiecutter.project_slug }}/config
 APPS_DIR = ROOT_DIR.path('{{ cookiecutter.project_slug }}')
 
 env = environ.Env()
-env.read_env()
+
+# Load operating system environment variables and then prepare to use them
+env = environ.Env()
+
+# .env file, should load only in development environment
+READ_DOT_ENV_FILE = env('DJANGO_READ_DOT_ENV_FILE', default=False)
+
+if READ_DOT_ENV_FILE:
+    # Operating System Environment variables have precende over variables defined in the .env file, 
+    # that is to say variables from the .env files will only be used if not defined
+    # as environment variables.
+    env_file = str(ROOT_DIR.path('.env'))
+    print('Loading : {}'.format(env_file))
+    env.read_env(env_file)
+    print('The .env file has been loaded. See common.py for more information')
 
 # APP CONFIGURATION
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------