diff --git a/config/runtime.exs b/config/runtime.exs
index 5b53e507e..29b987cab 100644
--- a/config/runtime.exs
+++ b/config/runtime.exs
@@ -49,8 +49,11 @@ end
 ############################
 
 metrics_endpoint_port =
-  (System.get_env("METRICS_ENDPOINT_PORT") || "9568")
-  |> String.to_integer()
+  if System.get_env("METRICS_ENDPOINT_PORT") in [nil, ""] do
+    9568
+  else
+    System.get_env("METRICS_ENDPOINT_PORT") |> String.to_integer()
+  end
 
 config :arena, :gateway_url, System.get_env("GATEWAY_URL") || "http://localhost:4001"
 config :arena, :metrics_endpoint_port, metrics_endpoint_port