diff --git a/app/models/concerns/form526_claim_fast_tracking_concern.rb b/app/models/concerns/form526_claim_fast_tracking_concern.rb
index e3ff1c4690..702dfe6f23 100644
--- a/app/models/concerns/form526_claim_fast_tracking_concern.rb
+++ b/app/models/concerns/form526_claim_fast_tracking_concern.rb
@@ -257,12 +257,11 @@ def add_ep_merge_special_issue!
 
   def ep_merge_feature_enabled?
     actor = OpenStruct.new({ flipper_id: user_uuid })
-    feature_enabled = Flipper.enabled?(:disability_526_ep_merge_api, actor)
     if Flipper.enabled?(:disability_compensation_production_tester, actor)
-      feature_enabled = false
       Rails.logger.info("EP merge skipped for submission #{id}, user_uuid #{user_uuid}")
+      return false
     end
-    feature_enabled
+    Flipper.enabled?(:disability_526_ep_merge_api, actor)
   end
 
   private