diff --git a/main.tf b/main.tf
index 94e8691..71326f6 100644
--- a/main.tf
+++ b/main.tf
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ locals {
   user_data = templatefile("${path.module}/templates/user-data.sh.tmpl", {
     accept_limited_use_license = var.accept_limited_use_license
 
-    config_b64  = base64encode(local.hocon)
+    config_b64  = var.config_override_b64 == "" ? base64encode(local.config) : var.config_override_b64
     version     = local.app_version
     resolver    = "dynamodb:${data.aws_region.current.name}/${aws_dynamodb_table.config.name}/snowplow_resolver"
     enrichments = "dynamodb:${data.aws_region.current.name}/${aws_dynamodb_table.config.name}/snowplow_enrichment_"
diff --git a/variables.tf b/variables.tf
index fe70057..0e03d41 100644
--- a/variables.tf
+++ b/variables.tf
@@ -20,6 +20,12 @@ variable "app_version" {
   default     = "3.9.0"
 }
 
+variable "config_override_b64" {
+  description = "App config uploaded as a base64 encoded blob. This variable facilitates dev flow, if config is incorrect this can break the deployment."
+  type        = string
+  default     = ""
+}
+
 variable "vpc_id" {
   description = "The VPC to deploy Enrich within (must have DNS hostnames enabled)"
   type        = string